PSA warns that growing SA teacher shortage could affect learning quality

The Public Servants’ Association (PSA) has raised serious concerns about the future of South Africa’s education system, warning of a growing teacher shortage that could affect learning quality nationwide.

According to the Basic Education Department, South Africa will need more than 400,000 educators by 2030 to maintain a sustainable teacher-learner ratio.

The PSA said that overcrowded classrooms and increasing workloads have already led to widespread burnout and stress among teachers.

In the Western Cape, NAPTOSA provincial CEO Riedwaan Ahmed said that recent staff cuts of more than 2,400 teachers only worsened the situation.

"When you have an overcrowded classroom, you are unable to give effective quality teaching and learning for every child within your classroom environment. And so, this, in our view, also, you know, have created a tendency of high absenteeism."

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch University’s dean of education, Professor Mbulungeni Madiba, believes that technology can ease the pressure on teachers.

"I think we really need to explore the opportunity that AI presents. But that will mean the department needs to invest more on infrastructure, connectivity. We know many schools are not connected, so that will mean investing into connectivity, make sure that Wi-Fi is available.”