KZN learners continue to suffer as schools face 3 198 critical vacancies
10 December 2023
A written parliamentary reply (view here) to questions by the DA has revealed that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) schools have a staggering total of 3 198 critical vacancies.
The reply – from provincial Education MEC, Mbali Frazer, further confirms that;
- 685 of the posts are for Principals
- 389 are for Deputy Principals
- 1215 are for Departmental Heads and;
- 909 are for teachers.
These are government funded vacancies, which have not been filled, to the detriment of KZN’s learners. Not filling these vacancies does not bode well in ensuring quality education.
Larger class sizes and a lack of school leadership such as permanent principals and senior management teams results in instability and infighting. It also leads to unhealthy and possibly corrupt filling of vacancies.
In instances where posts are unfilled for prolonged periods, some individuals remain in acting posts for far too long. This creates an unfair expectation, with many then feeling that they are entitled to the post.
The reply further reveals that the highest number of school vacancies is in uMlazi, with a total of 483 vacancies and a shortage of 445 teachers. This is followed by Pinetown with an overall vacancy rate of 353 and a shortage of 338 teachers.
According to the department, a total of 2 753 posts were filled during the past calendar year. Clearly this is not nearly enough. The DA is aware that there are at least 1 800 qualified educators sitting at home in our province, while their degrees and experience collect dust.
While millions of KZN’s learners are unwittingly disadvantaged as a result of inadequate political leadership within KZN’s educational system, MEC Frazer and her department continue to blame budget cuts.
Yet, the reality is that the DoE has coughed up R20million for what appear to be ANC election campaigns – under the guise of job creation and crime-fighting initiatives.
The DA has consistently spoken about the Good Quality Triad (GQT) in Education. This includes sound leadership at the apex, good parental involvement and well-built and maintained school infrastructure. Yet, KZN’s ANC-run DoE continues to fixate on the matric pass rate as a determinant to their success - to the detriment of these critical areas.
KZN’s DoE lacks both the political capacity and commitment to provide quality education. It will take a new DA-led government to do more and turn this Taliban-faction captured department around.
KZN’s citizens will have to opportunity to rescue our province when they go to the polls in 2024. Their choice could not be clearer than it is now.
Issued by Imran Keeka, DA KZN Spokesperson on Education, 10 December 2023
