2 321 educators who had been employed as temporary educators have had their posts converted to permanent with effect from 1 April 2010. This is part of a recruitment drive by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to deal with pressing educational needs pertaining to human resource management which is a key in the quest to deliver quality education. This will not simply change the employment status of temporary educators but it translates to a secure future for many, “We understand that human capital is the most important resource for this department and the majority of our employees are educators; we have 89 000 educators who are part of the total 100 000 employees in this department. It goes to show that educators are indeed the backbone of this department hence we are always in a look-out for means to improve and address human resource issues,” said MEC Senzo Mchunu.
The conversion comes after the provincial Education Labour Relations Council at a meeting held on 21 January 2010 endorsed recommendations of a special task team which was set up by the MEC. The special task team is also looking into addressing the issue of deploying and placing surplus as well as displaced educators in schools where vacancies exist. The MEC has expressed his appreciation for the role played by organised teacher unions in reducing the number of vacancies in schools and ensuring that well qualified educators, that are in great demand are permanently employed.
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
19 March 2010
