Minister Motshekga says there is progress, despite many challenges in public schools

Johnathan Paoli

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has maintained that her department has steadily been improving services and was currently engaged in appointing teachers, despite claims to the contrary with over 31 000 vacancies at public schools across the country.

Minister Motshekga was replying to a parliamentary questions by Members of Parliament from the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday, who inquired about the lack of educators within public schools, the department’s plan to ensure the safety of learners and staff and the alleged increase in dropout rates across schools within the country.

Motshekga confirmed that the number of vacant teacher posts in the country’s state schools has increased by 28% in the past three years, from more than 24,000 in 2021 to more than 31,000 in 2024.

The Minister said KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have the highest number of vacancies, but that the department was filling the posts in