Question NW133 to the Minister of Basic Education
06 September 2019 - NW133
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) What total number of educators that teach Grade 3 are currently employed by (i) her department and (ii) each provincial department of education and (b) what number of the specified educators (i) were tested for English language proficiency and (ii) passed the English language proficiency test in each province?
Reply:
(a) (i) The National Department of Basic Education does not employ teachers.
(ii) The Department does not routinely collect information on the actual number of educators by Grade as part of regular monitoring and reporting. The figures below are an estimation based on the number of Grade 3 classes.
PROVINCE |
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF EDUCATORS |
Eastern Cape |
5 125 |
Free State |
1 680 |
Gauteng Province |
4 770 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
6 528 |
Limpopo |
3 510 |
Mpumalanga |
2 306 |
Northern Cape |
805 |
North West |
1 911 |
Western Cape |
3 071 |
Grand Total |
29706 |
Source: Education Management Information System Data, 2018
(b) (i) 2018 Foundation Phase (FP) English First Additional Language (EFAL) teachers were tested nationwide on English with emphasis on reading.
(ii) 65% of these teachers did very well, while the remaining 35% is getting attention through the Primary School Reading Improvement Programme (PSRIP).