Shortcuts with teachers

Worrying number of complaints about underqualified and unqualified tutors.

- Thando Nondywana

Concerns over independent schools employing unqualified teachers or teaching students has led to one union calling for regulation enforcement.

The National Professional Teachers' Association of South Africa (Naptosa) said the SA Council for Educators should require these schools to submit lists of teachers and their qualifications.

This was a reaction to concerns that some private schools are employing unqualified or student teachers, while charging exorbitant fees.

The Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa said it had received a worrying number of complaints about underqualified and unqualified teachers at some independent schools, Jacaranda FM reported this week.

Naptosa director Basil Manuel said this was alarming because many qualified teachers were unemployed and it would be better to use them.

"This is a clear violation of laws governing the sector. Evidence suggests this happens as a cost-saving measure.