Teachers' union to meet Dept of Basic Education over 'pay for posts' and 'ghost teachers'

Africa Melane speaks to NAPTOSA’s Basil Manuel about the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) investigation into ghost teachers and the alleged selling of teaching posts.

Listen below:

South Africa’s education system faces another scandal.

The ELRC is launching a wide-ranging investigation into the alleged sale of teaching posts.

Reports suggest that unemployed graduates are being asked to pay up to R25,000 to secure a job in a public school.

Manuel says based on anecdotal evidence, the issue appears to be quite widespread.

ALSO READ: How SA's massive teacher shortages are harming South Africa’s learners (and their future)

"Two or three provinces are really bad... Limpopo and KZN."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa

"Principals are involved, but it's officials from the Department as well that are involved."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa

Manuel says part of the problem is that vacancies for teaching posts are not being made public.

"Most level one posts, in the main, are not advertised... principals get involved, they gatekeep, and they start bartering on the issue."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa

"Alternatively, the Department is aware of the vacancy and suddenly somebody arrives at the school, they say, 'Oh, this person is a bursary holder', and there's a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, meanwhile there's something that's going on in the background."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa

Another facet of the investigation will be to look into allegations of 'ghost teachers'.

It's claimed there are scores of teachers still being paid for posts they no longer occupy.

"Here too, it's about corruption. We've had many headcounts over the years, and of course, who's doing the headcount are people from the Department."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa

"Departmental officials are involved, where they are drawing salaries from people who are non-existent."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa

NAPTOSA is one of a number of unions set to meet with the Department of Basic Education later today (Wednesday).

Ghost teachers and pay for posts; listen to the full conversation from Early Breakfast.