MEC Grant: Teacher Vacancy Lists Attract Strong Interest

"We want teachers that are specifically qualified in the relevant vacant posts, teachers that are committed to their profession and dedicated in providing our learners with a quality education," he said.

Grant said that the second vacancy list of the year, advertised in August 2009, had attracted 24 234 applications from 5 343 candidates for 1 667 teaching posts. The first vacancy list for the year, in February, attracted 13 130 from 3 341 candidates for 1 295 teaching posts.

"The WCED has completed the process of sorting the applications for the second vacancy list according to post numbers. Each applicant is carefully screened to ensure that they have the relevant teaching qualifications."

Grant said that after the screening process, the applications are then distributed to school governing bodies via the district offices, and a process of interviews will commence.

"Schools are now interviewing teachers and must nominate candidates for appointment by Friday, 23 October 2009," he said.

"The School governing bodies may nominate three candidates in order of preference. The WCED will process these nominations to ensure that the successful candidates join their new schools by the start of the 2010 school year."

The MEC said he was confident that they would meet the requirements needed to fill the vacant posts, given the response they have received.

"However, if we don't find the perfect match for each vacant post, a temporary teacher will fill that post until it is permanently filled in the next advertisement. The WCED strives to ensure that vacant teaching posts are filled throughout the year until a permanent teacher has been appointed through this process," he said.

"But in order to ensure that learners are receiving the quality of education they deserve, by qualified teachers in the relevant spheres, we are investigating the possibility of increasing the advertising and appointment of posts from twice a year to four times a year."