Question NW2467 to the Minister of Basic Education
28 September 2017 - NW2467
Gardee, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Basic Education
How many educators will be trained in the next five years for (a) primary and (b) high school level?
Reply:
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is responsible for the funding of teacher education, the development of policies that regulate the offering of teacher education programmes by Higher Education Institutions, to monitor and support the implementation of policies and to support capacity development at universities. Twenty-three (23) universities in the country are involved in teacher education.
The DBE, through the Funza Lushaka bursary programme, has made a considerable contribution by improving the attractiveness of teaching as a choice for many South African youth. The merit-based criteria for awarding the bursary have contributed to a higher calibre of students entering Initial Teacher Education programmes. The Funza Lushaka bursary programme is targeting to award a total of 65,500 bursaries for initial teacher education over the next five (5) years. It is estimated that 31,750 Funza Lushaka bursaries will be awarded for the training of primary school teachers and 33 750 Funza Lushaka bursaries for the training of high school teachers.