Cape Town - Before World Teachers Day, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) announced it would be appointing 500 Grade R teachers in 2023.
The permanent posts for qualified Grade R teachers will come with service benefits that Grade R teachers have been calling for, as of January 1, 2023. These posts will apply to Grade R teachers already employed at a school in a subsidised Grade R position.
“We have in the region of 2400 Grade R practitioners in WCED-subsidised positions at public schools in the province. However, only around 500 have the level of qualification necessary to be appointed as a Post Level 1 teacher,” Education MEC David Maynier said.
The department said the appointments would cost about R321million over the next three years.
“We are also in the process of exploring a qualification pathway that would allow under-qualified Grade R practitioners to obtain the required qualifications for appointment,” said Maynier.
Grade R teachers will be required to provide their documents for vetting, to be uploaded by October 14.
This year, several Grade R teachers took to the streets in protest, calling for recognition from the WCED through formal employment.
Warda Esau, a Grade R teacher for over 15 years, said they were happy with the announcement.
“We are grateful that our qualifications are now finally recognised and acknowledgement is given to the Grade R teachers who also play a vital role in the foundation phase, preparing our learners for Grade 1.
“However, there are more than 500 qualified Grade R teachers, those with Level 6 and 7,” she said.
Esau was part of the protests in June and August this year, after pleading for 10 years for the formal recognition of Grade R teachers.
“The challenges that we face as contract workers is that your job is not secured. You sign a contract every year. We do not get any benefits such as pension funds, which is the most important benefit we wanted.”
Grade R teachers also could not get home loans from banks as they were not employed permanently.
The Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa’s deputy chairperson, Hendrick Makaneta, said the move was long overdue.