THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) allocates posts to schools every year, according to a national formula based mainly on the number of learners at a school.

Every year, enrolment increases at some schools and decreases at others, and the WCED allocate posts accordingly. The process usually affects only a very small proportion of the total number of teachers employed by the province.

The formula also includes weightings to meet special needs, including those at special schools. In the past, the department allocated posts to special schools based on a weighting that made allowance for the primary barrier to learning catered for by the school.

The Pionier School in Worcester, for example, previously catered exclusively for learners who are visually impaired, which carried a specific weighting. As a result, the school qualified for 46 posts.

The mix of learners changed in 2003 to meet the needs of special education in the Overberg/Breede River District, to include learners with other learning barriers than visual impairment as well. These learners carry a lower weighting.

To ensure a fair allocation of posts, the WCED decided in principle to allocate posts in 2006 according to the specific weightings of individual learners at a school, rather than the established classification/weighting of the school. Teacher unions agreed to this approach.

The WCED has also set aside posts for redress, to meet the needs of disadvantaged learners. The department has also applied this principle in special schools.

The change in the mix of learners, the application of relevant weightings and the distribution of redress posts have meant that the Pionier School qualifies for 30 teaching posts in 2006.

The number of posts allocated to Steinthal School in Tulbagh has declined mainly because of a considerable decline in the numbers of learners attending the school.

The school was originally established for children living in Tulbagh’s Steinthal Children’s Home. The children’s home and the school was designed to accommodate 500+ learners. Given the numbers involved, the WCED allocated 43 teaching posts to the school in 2001.

The Department of Social Services, Welfare and Poverty Relief has since changed regulations for children’s homes. As a result, the number of children at the Steinthal Hostal has declined to less than 200 learners, which in turn implies that the school qualifies for only 13 teaching posts. The WCED intends, however, to establish a school of skills section at the school and for this purpose allocated 13 additional posts to the school.

The WCED has kept both schools informed of the impact that changes at the schools would have on their post establishments in 2006 and requested the schools not to appoint too many teachers on a permanent basis.

In a newspaper article last week, it was incorrectly reported that many teachers at special schools would be out of work at the end of the year in the Western Cape. The report basis its claim on a loss of posts at two special schools in Worcester.

While post allocations will decline at these two schools in 2006, they will increase at others, in line with standard post allocation practice.

Teachers in posts found to be in excess at some schools can apply for vacancies that become available at other schools where post allocations have increased to meet particular demands.

The WCED has already increased the number of teaching posts from 30,080 in 2005 to 30,372 in 2006, an increase of 292. We will also assist teachers wherever possible to find alternative posts, in line with standard practice.

For further comment, contact:

Dr Matthi Theron, Director Specialised Education Support Services: 0833038402
Gert Witbooi, Media Liaison Officer of the MEC: 0825503938