Calls for Stricter Regulations as Unqualified Teachers Fill South Africa's Private Schools

The quality of education in South Africa's private schools is under scrutiny as reports emerge of these institutions employing unqualified and underqualified teachers. The National Professional Teachers’ Association of South Africa (Naptosa) has called on the South African Council for Educators (Sace) to enforce stricter regulations to ensure that private school teachers meet the necessary qualifications.

Recent findings highlight a troubling trend in which some private schools, particularly those that are more affordable, hire unqualified or student teachers to cut costs. This practice not only undermines the quality of education but also contradicts the professional standards set by Sace, which mandates that all teachers must be registered and meet certain educational criteria. Student teachers, under these regulations, are only allowed to teach under the supervised guidance of a qualified teacher.

Basil Manuel, director of Naptosa, expressed severe concerns about these violations. He pointed out the irony of qualified teachers remaining unemployed while their lesser or unqualified counterparts take up teaching positions. "This is a clear violation of laws governing the sector. These schools function as businesses trying to minimize salary costs at the expense of educational quality," Manuel stated.

The implications of employing unqualified teachers extend beyond the private education sector, as students transitioning from private to public schools carry with them educational gaps that are difficult to address. This phenomenon aggravates the challenges within the public schooling system, potentially dragging down the overall standard of education across both sectors.

To tackle this issue, Naptosa proposes that private schools be mandated to submit lists of their teaching staff along with their qualifications to Sace for verification. This step, along with regular school inspections and increased parental awareness, could enforce accountability.

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta also weighed in, highlighting the broader repercussions on the trust and integrity of the education sector. "Parents deserve to know who is teaching their children. By ensuring transparency in the qualifications of educators, schools will be compelled to maintain high educational standards," Makaneta emphasized.

The call for transparency and strict adherence to educational standards proposes a shift towards more robust governance of private educational institutions. Stakeholders argue this would not only elevate the quality of education but also restore confidence among parents and the public in South Africa’s schooling system.