Do South African teachers pass the test? An expert weighs in
Aubrey Masango speaks to Dr Leanne Browning, Head of school of Education at STADIO about the streamlining of teacher training.
Picture: © teka77/123rf.com
In a fair and equal education system, it would be expected that all teachers would be equally skilled.
It wouldn't matter whether those teachers were based in a rural area or a wealthy suburb.
But in a country as unequal as South Africa, that remains something of a pipe dream.
Browning says when it comes to teacher training, the critical issue is understanding the diversity of context within which teachers must be prepared to carry out their roles.
"It's not just about learning HOW to teach the discipline (maths, or geography or history), it's important to know how to manage the classroom, how to engage with the particular challenges of the school they are in."
Dr Leanne Browning, Head of school of Education - STADIO
"They need to have a toolbox of skills, knowledge and attitude that they're going to draw from."
Dr Leanne Browning, Head of school of Education - STADIO
There are currently two routes to becoming a teacher in South Africa.
Either a four-year Bachelor of Education degree (B.Ed.); a three-or four-year Bachelor’s degree, followed by a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Once completed, both routes lead to classification as a professionally qualified teacher.
However, according to a report released by the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Education last year, South Africa is essentially facing a teaching crisis with, according to the report, only 55% of Grade 6 teachers able to read at the level of Grade 4 children internationally.
Government subsequently responded to the report, calling it 'weak and misleading'.
Browning says a good teacher MUST have good knowledge of their particular discipline.
"You cannot teach a child to read, or mathematics, if you yourself have not mastered that content knowledge."
Dr Leanne Browning, Head of school of Education - STADIO
In addition to knowledge of the subject, a teacher must have a good understanding of the different methodologies about HOW to teach the subject, says Browning.
"Because how we teach literature or reading, is very different to how we teach history for example."
Dr Leanne Browning, Head of school of Education - STADIO
"A respective teacher or educator is a person who has a wide repertoire of skills."
Dr Leanne Browning, Head of school of Education - STADIO