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Basic Education Department criticised over teaching positions SABC News
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The Increase in Vacant Teaching Positions: A Concern for Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
The CEO of the education rewards incentives programme School-Days, Paul Esterhuizen, has expressed strong criticism towards the Basic Education Department for its failure to address the increasing number of vacant teaching positions.
Current Situation
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga recently disclosed that vacancies had surged from approximately 24,000 to over 31,000 in the past three years.
Response and Concerns
In response, the department has authorised schools to hire temporary teachers. However, Esterhuizen argues that parents of learners should be alarmed by this situation.
Esterhuizen says, “We have an annual shortage of the number of teachers we’re producing and I get it, we’re losing a number of retiring teachers who are exiting the profession and on the other side of it as well we also find that a number of our teachers are being attracted to go and teach overseas so we’ve got a number of reasons…teachers do, they move province and you have an unfold vacancy at a school and the mandate to the school is yes, you can fill that with a temporary appointment because we need the teachers, we cannot have these numbers continue to escalate.”
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The issue of vacant teaching positions directly relates to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- Quality Education (SDG 4): The shortage of teachers and reliance on temporary appointments can hinder the delivery of quality education to students.
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): The high number of vacant teaching positions reflects a lack of decent work opportunities in the education sector.
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): The unequal distribution of teachers and the reliance on temporary appointments can contribute to educational inequalities among different regions and schools.
Conclusion
The increasing number of vacant teaching positions is a matter of concern for the education sector and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is crucial for the Basic Education Department to address this issue effectively and ensure the availability of qualified teachers for all students.
Video
VIDEO | Unemployed teachers demand that vacant teaching posts be filled:
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the increasing number of vacant teaching positions in the education sector, which directly relates to SDG 4 – Quality Education. The shortage of teachers affects the quality of education provided to students. Additionally, the article mentions that some teachers are attracted to teach overseas, which connects to SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, as it highlights the issue of brain drain and the need to retain skilled professionals in their home countries.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
The article indirectly addresses SDG target 4.7 by highlighting the importance of having qualified teachers to provide quality education to learners. It emphasizes the need for teachers who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development. Additionally, the issue of attracting and retaining teachers in the education sector connects to SDG target 8.5, which aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all individuals.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of vacant teaching positions in the education sector
- Number of retiring teachers
- Number of teachers attracted to teach overseas
The article mentions the increasing number of vacant teaching positions, which can serve as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG targets 4.7 and 8.5. Additionally, it highlights the factors contributing to the shortage of teachers, such as retiring teachers and teachers being attracted to teach overseas. Monitoring and tracking these factors can provide insights into the progress made towards achieving the identified targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. | – Number of vacant teaching positions in the education sector – Number of retiring teachers – Number of teachers attracted to teach overseas |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | – Number of vacant teaching positions in the education sector – Number of retiring teachers – Number of teachers attracted to teach overseas |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: sabcnews.com
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