The UK’s offer sound excellent but one should take their time thinking about it Photo Pexels
South Africa – The education system in South Africa has been facing various challenges, such as low literacy rates and under-resourced schools. The United Kingdom has made am enticing offer to South African teachers, a relocation package worth £10 000 (about R243 400). A fee that could persuade many teachers to leave the country and put a strain on the education system.
The UK is grappling with a shortage of teachers, as it fails to meet its own targets for teacher training entrants. While the Department of Basic Education in South Africa welcomes the UK’s offer, the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) argues there is an artificial surplus of teachers in the country.
The department believes there is a surplus of teachers in the country, but Professor Mary Metcalfe, Education specialist, agrees with Napotsa. Teachers tend to want to stay in urban and metropolitan areas which leaves the rural and remote areas without teachers.
“My experience is that many teachers, for understandable reasons to do with the fact that there’s advantages for their families, prefer to teach in metropolitan or large urban areas. There are parts of the country, for example the Northern Cape, where it’s very difficult to find teachers who are willing to move there with their families. Many of them, because they need a job, will go there without their families and go home sometimes on the weekends if it’s close enough or sometimes in the holidays.”
Evaluating the UK offer to teachers
Relocating to the UK and teaching in a different social context can provide valuable learning experiences. However, it is essential for individuals to consider the advantages and disadvantages on a personal level. The financial aspect is crucial, as the offered amount is intended to cover visa and moving costs, leaving teachers to sustain themselves on their British pound-denominated salaries in an unfamiliar environment. It is also important to analyse why there is a shortage of teachers in the UK.
“This is not unusual. There is often a situation where a country, for various reasons, doesn’t have enough teachers that they need and then they look for the supply internationally. Firstly, they got fewer entrants coming into training, they are not meeting their own targets. Secondly, there is a net migration of families coming into the country with children. Thirdly they are experiencing teacher strikes. Those are all factors that our teachers would need to consider when they look for this new learning experience.”
Valuable work experience that comes with a cost
While Metcalfe sees it as valuable experience to work in a different country, get to understand different systems and to grow in expertise, she urged teachers to not get “seduced” by the money offered. The £10 000 covers just the visa and the cost of moving. Afterwards, it is up to the individual to survive on their salary in a whole new environment which could take getting used to.
“I don’t think it’s the end of the world if our teachers do decide to take up the offer, but they need to personally consider the advantages and disadvantages. The South African education system, I am not seeing it as a major threat to it.”
The UK offer extends to previous colonies where English is the dominant language, including Ghana, India, Singapore, Jamaica, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Families or individuals contemplating the offer should carefully evaluate the push and pull factors associated with each country.
The offer by the UK provides an opportunity for valuable experiences and growth. However, teachers considering the offer must carefully evaluate the financial aspects and the benefits for their personal and professional development. The South African education system is in a crisis and while this offer may tempt some away, Metcalfe is certain Sa’s education system will survive.
