The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has welcomed the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education’s recent appointment of 1,530 teachers but warns that the move falls short of resolving the ongoing educator shortage in the province.
Last week, the department announced it had filled critical vacancies in key subjects such as mathematics, mathematical literacy, physical and life sciences, and technical disciplines. However, SADTU's provincial secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza, says while the appointments are a step in the right direction, they are not sufficient to address the broader needs of learners.
“All subjects are critical to the learners who take them,” Caluza stated. “The focus tends to be on maths and science, but what about subjects like history, which may be central to a particular learner’s academic path? Every subject should be considered vital from the learner’s perspective.”
Caluza also raised concerns about the neglect of primary schools, noting that most attention and resources are directed toward high schools. “Primary schools are being overlooked, yet they too face serious staff shortages. These appointments, while welcome, are not enough,” she added.
SADTU is calling for a more inclusive approach to teacher deployment that ensures vacancies are filled across all subjects and school levels.