Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MEAC) has directed all regions to stop using the stipulations of formal education Circular 3 of 2019 for recruiting junior primary phase teachers.
The executive director of the ministry, Sanet Steenkamp, has directed the chief regional officers of all regions to align recruitment processes with the national curriculum for basic education and personnel administration measures.
According to the directive, teacher shortages in the junior primary phase, specifically from pre-primary to grade 3, led to the issuance of the original circular.
“The MEAC, during the time of teacher shortage in the junior primary phase as well as an indication of the medium of instruction on the tertiary teaching qualification, issued the above-mentioned circular with reference number 28/5.5/1/2, dated 13 November 2019, which directs regions to correctly recruit applicants for junior primary phase posts,” read the directive.
The reference number for the circular was 28/S.5/1/2.
The ministry has now instructed regions to follow the updated field of studies and phase requirements as outlined in national educational and administrative policies.
“Due to the new developments and reviews since 2019, Regions are hereby directed to cease using the stipulations as set out in Form Ed. Circular 3 of 2019 for recruitment purposes and abide by the field of study and phase requirements of the National Curriculum for Basic Education and the Personnel Administration Measures for the Job Category: Teacher,” read the directive.
In response to queries, the acting executive director of the ministry, Edda Bohn, said the withdrawal comes in response to ongoing developments since the initial directive was issued.
“The ministry is committed to ensuring that the recruitment of junior primary phase teachers meets the current educational standards and requirements, and more so, to lay a strong foundation from the pre-primary and junior primary phase. Future recruitment guidelines will replace the 2019 stipulations and will be drawn up in a consultative manner within the existing legal provisions,” said Bohn.
