This is according to DA KZN Spokesperson on Education, Dr Rishigen Viranna, who received the information in a written response to questions sent to Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga.
In her response, Motshekga noted that there were 2 875 unqualified or under-qualified educators teaching at KwaZulu-Natal schools in 2015, the province’s poorest and most under-developed districts including the Zululand, uThukela and uThungulu education districts, are worst affected by the crisis and most of these educators are teaching critical subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Technology across all Grades and isiZulu home language in the Foundation Phase.
“The department has stated before that it is implementing various programmes to improve teaching – clearly these are not having the desired effect. In the recent review of the Department’s preliminary 2016/17 financial close-out report and 4th quarter target analysis, the lack of commitment to improving the quality of education becomes even more evident, with an underspend of R5 645 million under the teacher training and development programme,” Viranna said.
“This has resulted in only 51% of all educators attending training in teaching literacy and a shocking 21% attendance in teacher training when it comes to numeracy.”
Viranna said the party has written to the Chairperson of the Education portfolio committee to insist that this matter be placed on the agenda for the next meeting
“The MEC and his department must be held accountable for failing our young people,” he said.
