The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, acknowledged the concerns of unemployed teachers but emphasised that teacher recruitment must follow a systematic and balanced approach that takes into account national needs and available resources.

Steenkamp, responding to questions from members of parliament in the National Assembly, indicated that the ministry is aware of increasing pressure from unemployed teachers calling for mass recruitment. However, she pointed out that the government cannot proceed with large-scale recruitment in the absence of a comprehensive national database outlining the number of qualified teachers, their areas of specialisation, and where their skills are most needed.

Steenkamp noted that the education system currently has an oversupply of teachers in the junior primary and upper primary phases. The ministry has identified the most critical shortages in specialised subjects at the secondary school level.

She further reported that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has already created and filled 1,300 teaching positions across the country. However, Steenkamp stressed that all recruitment must continue to follow the public service recruitment processes and cannot bypass established procedures.

She also indicated that some unemployed teachers are calling for automatic placement based on their four-year teaching qualifications. However, the minister clarified that holding a qualification alone does not guarantee employment, as appointments must correspond with the specific needs and subject shortages in the education system.

Steenkamp reminded the house that government engagement with unemployed teachers has been ongoing since 2021. The matter was formally handled by the Prime Minister’s office, and a legal opinion was secured from the Attorney General in October 2021, reflecting the seriousness with which the government has approached the issue.