Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

23 June, 2014

Attracting Quality Teachers to our Rural Areas.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Each year, the WCED places hundreds of new educators into vacant teaching posts around the province. However, when we analyse the applications for these posts most educators opt to apply for teaching posts in the urban areas.

This makes it difficult for schools in rural areas to attract well qualified educators, especially those qualified to teach maths, science and languages.

In order to encourage well-qualified educators to apply for posts in rural schools, especially newly qualified educators, and to improve the quality of teaching and learner outcomes in these areas, the Western Cape Education Department has over the last two years paid out R40,8 million in incentives to educators who teach in rural schools.

The incentive scheme, to attract qualified educators to rural schools, was first launched in 2012. On average 1 100 educators have been awarded the incentive which amounts to 10% of the basic salary of a teacher entering the profession with a four-year qualification.

The basic salary of an educator amounts to R198 888, a year (excluding service benefits).

The schools to which the WCED have been aiming to attract teachers include:

• Farm schools.

• Schools situated 20km from towns offering basic services.

• Schools situated on gravel roads 5km and more from the nearest town offering basic services.

The following amounts have been paid in the last two years:

• 2012 - R20,2 million (1 161 Posts)

• 2013 - R20,6 million (1 117 Posts)

The WCED expects the cost of the scheme to amount to about R21 million this year. (please note that this does not add to additional posts, but incentivises existing posts).

In addition to the incentive scheme, the WCED is delighted to announce that the Department of Basic Education has made available to the WCED, an additional 66 Funza Lushaka Bursaries for the 2015 academic year to Grade 12 learners who intend studying towards a formal teaching qualification in the rural areas. (these 66 bursaries are for qualifying learners who have extremely challenging financial circumstances).

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme that promotes teaching in public schools by making available full-cost bursaries to eligible students completing a full teaching qualification.

Over the past four years, 1 929 learners in the Western Cape have been awarded bursaries from the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme. On average, between 590 to 650 students in the Western Cape, qualify at the end of each academic year for placement.

This year, the WCED will award an additional 66 extraordinary bursaries to students who are willing to teach at schools in rural areas. The bursary holder will, on completion of his/her course of study, be required to teach at a school in a rural area for a period of one year, for every year for which they have received a bursary.

The bursaries will be awarded on merit by the selection committee at the WCED Head Office in Cape Town, based on the following minimum academic criteria:

• An "admission to Bachelor's degree studies" pass at Grade 12 level.

• At least a Level 4 pass (50% pass) in the subject in which the applicant will specialise in the B Ed course.

• Students who wish to specialise in the Foundation Phase, must achieve a pass in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at Grade 12 level.

• A Level 5 pass (60% pass) in the Home Language is required.

The closing date for these applications is 31 July 2014. Schools may obtain application forms by contacting one of the following officials at the WCED Head Office:

• Ms Patience Funani, tel. no. 021 467 2243

• Mr Lusapho Ndzongo: tel. no. 021 467 2190

Teaching is a noble and rewarding profession and is crucial in equipping our young people to take leading roles in our economy. I would therefore like to encourage all learners who have a passion for teaching to apply for this bursary.

Ultimately, we would like to see as many qualified educators as possible working in all areas of the Western Cape, including our rural areas, to improve quality education across the board.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663