Teachers eye overseas posts

AHUNDRED teachers marched in Durban last week, demanding jobs. Now student teachers are seeking work overseas.

“It’s more than teaching children. You’re building their future,” said Sushmitha Budhayee, a second-year student teacher for Grades 4 to 8.

Budhayee, 23, of Chatsworth said teaching was her calling – she enjoyed guiding youngsters.

Studying through Unisa, she said: “Many of my colleagues plan to go overseas because of the lack of job opportunities. If I need to get a job out of the country, like them, I will have to go,” she said.

Budhayee said competent teachers were not appreciated, which would lead to a brain drain.

“Some of those employed are not doing justice in the field, while those who can teach well can’t get work,” she said.

On Monday, more than 100 members of the Unemployed Educators’ Movement handed a memorandum to the Kwazulunatal Department of Education officials, demanding, among other things, that the department change its hiring system.

Movement leader Mxolisi Mthalane said: “There are more than 500 unemployed, qualified teachers in the province. The jobs are there, but the system is failing us.”

Mthalane said the department was biased in favour of hiring students who had bursaries, including from the Funza Lushaka bursary, which it funded.

“We also want an end to nepotism and the sale of teaching posts,” he said.

Rashmika Pirtheepal, 21, a third-year student teacher at the Embury Institute for Higher Education, supported the march.

“Even if you graduate with excellent marks, you could still sit at home because there are few jobs in the industry.

“People use contacts at schools to get jobs without experience or qualifications, while others have to work hard to get somewhere,” she said.

Oval International president Pravin Maharaj said: “Unemployed teachers will have to adapt to a new style of teaching, which goes beyond the classroom to the internet and the use of technology. Teachers can educate anyone in the world with the use of technology.” KZN Education Department spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said the department had budget constraints.

“Unemployment is a problem worldwide. We do not try to frustrate anyone. Those who benefit from our bursaries also battle to get jobs,” he said.