The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) answered as follows to questions put by the Cape Argus on the response to the second WCED vacancy list for 2008, published in August 2008.

* You said 19 537 posts were received for 1440 posts advertised in the latest vacancy list. I understand some candidates apply for more that one post. So is this a large number of applications or is this what you typically receive?

We typically experience strong demand for teaching posts in the Western Cape.

The WCED publishes vacancy lists for teaching posts twice a year. We received 31 269 applications for 3 811 teaching posts for posts advertised in the first vacancy list this year, in February, and 19 537 applications for 1 440 posts advertised in the second list, in August.

Similarly, in 2007, 15 009 candidates applied for 1 191 posts advertised in our first vacancy list for the year, followed by 18 924 applications for 1 311 posts in the second list.

Some candidates apply for more than one post, but nevertheless, we are pleased with the overall response.

* How long did it take to process the applications and did WCED staff for example have to put in extra hours?

WCED officials worked overtime for three weeks, including weekends, to process the latest applications. They completed the task two days ahead of schedule. The first job was to forward the applications to schools. They repeated the exercise when schools returned their nominations. The WCED will start faxing out appointment confirmations during the course of this month.

* Earlier this year, the Cape Argus reported that some schools were struggling to fill vacant posts. Some schools mentioned a teacher shortage in certain learning areas. Do you think this is a problem and are you getting candidates for maths and science posts for example What happens now that schools have made their nominations?

We have a shortage of suitably qualified maths, science, technology and language teachers, mainly isiXhosa teachers. The shortage is not evenly spread - some kinds of teachers are in short supply in some areas, but not in others.

The WCED has commissioned a study of teacher qualifications which will give us a very good idea of where the needs are. A consortium of universities is conducting the study, which should be ready by the end of November.

Schools typically nominate three candidates, in order of preference. The WCED will choose the final candidate, according to the requirements for the post and employment equity targets.