South African teachers seek opportunities abroad amid local job shortages
WITH increasing unemployment among qualified teachers in South Africa, many are considering moving abroad for better job opportunities. We highlight the challenges faced by teachers and the implications of a potential brain drain in the teaching profession
Shwetha Saminath, 26, a qualified teacher from Chatsworth, said she had been unemployed for four years.
'I qualified in 2021 and I specialise in the intermediate and senior phase. I taught at a school in Chatsworth for five years. I have been unemployed for four years and have encountered many financial challenges since then.
'My passion is to teach children and it is sad that there are limited job opportunities for teachers in KZN. Teaching overseas enhances career prospects. There is a massive growth of opportunities in terms of experience and international recognition of skills, and a better income. I am now considering moving abroad so that I can secure a permanent job as a teacher,' she said.
Candice Demi George, 28, of Merebank, said she was forced to leave the country because she could not get permanently employed as a teacher.
'I worked part-time and paid for my teaching degree. I qualified as a teacher in 2022. I worked part time as a teacher at St Mary's Primary, in Merebank, and then moved to Fairvale Secondary school as a specialised Afrikaans teacher.
'I really struggled to find a permanent job as a teacher. I was forced to leave the country because I wanted a permanent job. I moved to China in 2023 and it has changed my life. I now teach at a school in Shijiazhuang,' she added.
George said she had to save R50 000 to move abroad.
'There are many different aspects to cater for when you leave your home country to pursue a career abroad. It was not easy to leave my hometown and make something of myself.
'From my own experience, I think there are many dedicated, young and passionate teachers in South Africa. But the DOE cannot provide all teachers with jobs because of budget shortfalls.
'This means that they simply cannot afford to retain all teachers or hire newly-qualified teachers. I would encourage any young person to get out of their comfort zone and apply to other countries.
"But the problem is that if more teachers leave the country to pursue permanent jobs abroad, a brain drain in the teaching profession is imminent. I hope that the issues at the DoE are resolved so that I could come back home and have a job as a teacher,' George added.
A principal at a Phoenix school, who did not want to be named as he is not permitted to speak to the media, said the situation in schools was worsening due to the shortage of teachers.
'Employed teachers are faced with an increased workload, resulting in burn-out and frustration. There is also the issue of teachers teaching subjects that they are not trained to teach, which disadvantages children. Inclusive classes make teaching more challenging.
'At my school, I am short of two teachers from February 2024. The department keeps sending intermediate phase teachers to fill this vacancy but there is no budget for permanent teachers,' he added.
He said the teaching sector was heading towards a brain drain.
'This will also be exacerbated with the implementation of the early retirement without penalties. There are various challenges at the department and if it is not addressed, the education sector will be crippled,' he added.
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