Friday, 1 May 2015

Free State loses almost 2 000 teachers!


According to a DA media release, the Free State Dept. of Education has, by its own admission, lost almost 2 000 teachers over three years - 380 teachers resigned in 2012, another 475 in 2013 and 845 in 2014. Four months into this year saw 200 teachers tender their resignations and leave the profession. The teacher exodus, coupled with the high school dropout rate of 61% resulting in an actual Matric pass rate of 39% for 2014, and the poor performance of learners seen in the Annual National Assessment (ANA) results indicate a serious problem within the department. The ANA results for 2014 indicated that only 5.1% of grade 9 students in the Free State obtained an acceptable achievement of 50% and above for mathematics. In the first language category, only 15.6% of these learners obtained an acceptable achievement. The department also struggles to address its R1,3 billion shortfall resulting in the late payment of teacher salaries, the delay in permanent teacher appointments and the late payment of school subsidies.


(Free State Business Bulletin)