Key Takeaways
- Over 7,000 unqualified Grade R teachers are currently employed in public schools across South Africa.
- Only 2,121 of these unqualified practitioners are eligible for qualification upgrades.
- The Department of Basic Education has partnered with UNISA to facilitate a qualification upgrading program for Grade R practitioners.
- The ETDP SETA has committed R66 million for the upgrading process during the current financial year.
- The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act formally incorporates Grade R into basic education, requiring Grade R teachers to hold qualifications equivalent to those of other educators.
Introduction to the Issue
The Department of Basic Education has revealed a concerning statistic: over 7,000 unqualified Grade R teachers are currently employed in public schools across all nine provinces in South Africa. This figure is alarming, as it suggests that a significant number of children in the country’s public education system are not receiving the quality of education they deserve. The issue is further complicated by the fact that only 2,121 of these unqualified practitioners are eligible for qualification upgrades. This means that the majority of these teachers do not possess the minimum National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 qualification required to teach at this level.
The Briefing and Regulations
The figures were presented to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education during a briefing on the status of regulations to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act as they relate to Grade R admissions. The briefing also included updates on Sections 4 and 5 of the Children’s Amendment Bill of 2025. In August, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, gazetted the first two sets of regulations under the BELA Act, 2024, for public comment. These regulations are an important step towards addressing the issue of unqualified Grade R teachers, as they provide a framework for the upgrading of qualifications for these practitioners.
Upgrading Qualifications
Chief Director for the department of Basic Education, Enoch Rabotapi, provided an update on the upgrading of qualifications for Grade R practitioners, emphasizing that the BELA Act formally incorporates Grade R into basic education. This means that Grade R teachers must now hold qualifications equivalent to those of other educators. Rabotapi explained that the department first consulted with labour unions through the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), leading to the adoption of Collective Agreement 2 of 2025. The agreement outlines measures for upgrading the qualifications of practitioners currently employed in schools. The department has partnered with the University of South Africa (UNISA) to facilitate the upgrading program, which will allow practitioners to work while studying.
Partnerships and Funding
The partnership with UNISA is significant, as it will enable practitioners to upgrade their qualifications while continuing to work. UNISA was chosen for its distance-learning model, which allows practitioners to study at their own pace, and for its affordability. The Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) has also committed R66 million for the upgrading process during the current financial year. This funding will be crucial in supporting the qualification upgrading program and ensuring that practitioners have the resources they need to succeed.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The issue of unqualified Grade R teachers is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The Department of Basic Education’s efforts to address this issue through the BELA Act and partnerships with institutions like UNISA are a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to ensure that all Grade R teachers possess the necessary qualifications to provide quality education to their students. The qualification upgrading program is a positive development, and it is essential that it is implemented effectively to support practitioners in achieving their qualifications. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that all children in South Africa have access to quality education, and addressing the issue of unqualified Grade R teachers is a critical part of achieving this goal.
