The North West department of Education and Sport Development hereby disputes the allegations levelled against the department regarding the resignation of 900 educators.

However, the department lost about 900 educators based on various reasons and not only on the alleged massive resignation. The loss varies from expired contracts, dismissals, death, compulsory retirement and medical retirement, amongst others.

All the above reasons are the primary causes of teachers leaving and the department has intervention strategies to deal with the problem.

To meet up with the challenge, the department has partnered with the two North West Universities to recruit all graduates who are the beneficiaries of Fundza Lushaka Bursary Fund. In December after they complete their degrees, a database with their identified schools is already in place for them to assume duty in different schools, January 2016. This helps curb the gap between those who are exiting the system due to retirement and those who finish their studies.

The North West Education and Sport Development MEC Maphefo Matsemela said:

“As a province we do not have a crisis due to the general termination of teachers. We are currently recruiting graduates who have completed their Post Graduate Certificate in Education from different universities across the country in addition to the Fundza Lushaka Graduates. Our teachers in different schools continue to be work shopped in their different areas of specialisation in order to upgrade them in their different fields.”

MEC Matsemela further said that a large number of educators have been appointed recently by the department and will be assuming their duties on Monday in different schools across the province.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews