Faculty of Education
School of Teacher Training
Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The United Kingdom (UK) - particularly England - is the main developed country that recruits teachers from South Africa. The study provides an overview of teacher migration from South Africa to the UK over the past decade. South Africa’s teaching corps is particularly favoured for their loyalty, hard work and their sheer dedication. The demand for them in the UK is the main reason why South Africa lost hundreds of teachers annually. Teacher shortages in specific subjects in the UK such as Science, Mathematics and Technology have caused concern about further teacher shortages in South Africa. Migration has not been easy for many teachers. The study addressed several experiences of South African teachers in UK schools. These experiences include classroom management, finance, induction programmes, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), discrimination, national curriculum and interpersonal relationships. The study yielded a number of interesting findings: South African teachers emigrated for various reasons, including higher salaries, career dissatisfaction and mobility; the vast majority of recruitment agencies recruiting teachers in South Africa are guilty of unethical conduct; recruited teachers are not always informed of the cost of living, QTS, taxation and the difficulties in UK schools. It has become necessary to regulate outward migration as recruitment may cream off more effective teachers. Findings suggest closer co-ordination and cooperation between schools in the UK and recruitment agencies in both the UK and South Africa. It also suggests the introduction of relocation grants for teachers abroad to lure them to return home. The study recommended that teacher recruitment agencies should be closely monitored and migration times regulated.
Contact person: Dr JJR de Villiers.
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