teacher recruitment campaign, University of Limpopo
26 March 2007
The MEC for Education
Students and Grade 12 learners
I challenge learners and students present here today to choose teaching as a
first-choice career. The choice to become a teacher is a choice to make a
significant impact on the future. As new graduates become teachers, they are
called on to perform a multitude of roles and tasks.
They have to motivate hundreds of learners everyday. They have to teach an
ever-expanding and relevant curriculum that addresses social justice issues.
Importantly, teachers prepare learners for the global economy and the
challenges of the 21st century. Teachers also have to maintain order and
promote a structured learning environment. And teachers have to stay in the
learning game - teachers have to keep up with educational reforms and changes
in the profession and in the world.
In short, teaching today is far much more exciting and enjoyable than ever
before. Moreover, the conditions of service for the teaching profession have
significantly improved over the years.
There is nothing more important to our citizens and society than education.
Education is the key to peace and democratic stability, the key to jobs and
economic growth, to good health, to respect and harmony between the sexes, and
between different faiths, ethnic groups and communities. Education is the key
to our children fulfilling their unique potential.
"Teaching makes a difference" is the slogan for the teacher-recruitment
campaign, the Fundza Lushaka Bursary Programme, that we formally launch today.
Government has made R700 million available over the next three years for
initial teacher education.
The bursary programme is an important component of the National Framework
for Teacher Education and Development that will be released shortly. The
bursary scheme will give preference to students who come from rural areas �
they will be more likely to teach in rural areas once qualified.
The scheme also gives preference to students who want to train in priority
subject and learning areas where teachers are in short supply such as
mathematics, science, technology (including ICT) and indigenous languages,
English and in the Foundation Phase.
The priority areas for which the bursaries were allocated for 2007 relate to
the following:
* Grades R-9: Foundation Phase, African Languages, English Language,
Mathematics, Science and Technology.
* Grades 8-12: African languages; English Language; Mathematics; Mathematical
Literacy; Agricultural Sciences; life Sciences; Physical Science Agricultural,
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Information and Computer Applications
Technology; Engineering Graphics and Design.
In 2007 bursaries are offered for study in the following programmes:
* Bachelor of Education (BEd) degrees
* Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and BA/BSc/BCom/BTech degrees
in subjects suitable for admission to a PGCE programme.
Three thousand bursaries have been provided for in 2007. In providing this
bursary programme, we are expecting to attract engaging young students.
I am confident that new recruits will bring about the transformation of our
schools that we so urgently desire.
As Mongane Wally Serote writes, in one of his striking poems: "there will be
a better time made by us."
MEC, the influence that these young men and women will have on the lives of
generations of children cannot be underestimated.
In closing, all who choose teaching as a first-choice career will make a
difference. They go forward into the unknown bravely bearing the torch that
will light the way for many learners. They carry with dignity the
responsibility that South Africa places so firmly on their young shoulders.
Issued by: Department of Education
26 March 2007
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za)
