DURBAN - Unemployed teachers from KwaZulu-Natal say they will protest until government learns its lesson.
They've been camping outside the Department of Education's offices since the start of the school year.
The Department says it will soon open 2-thousand teaching positions.
But this may be of little help, as the teachers say jobs here go to those with money and connections.
Some have been out of work for more than five years, others have yet to teach in a classroom.
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They are demanding transparency in application processes, claiming that some teachers have paid between R30,000 and R50,000 for jobs.
They also allege that school principals deny them a fair shot at positions in favour of pre-selected candidates.
The KZN Department of Education notes concerns of alleged jobs for cash and urges job seekers to be cautious of fraudsters.
“We have also heard of extreme cases where somebody says they paid an amount to some faceless people, and they did not get the job," said Mlu Mtshali, KZN Education spokesperson.
"So, there is a scam we have alerted the public to in terms of paying for jobs, and we want to reiterate that that is not the position of the Department. Anyone is allowed to apply for a vacancy, and nobody should charge anybody to be placed for any job.”
The South African Democratic Teachers Union says the department must act swiftly.
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"We know very well that there are vacancies in schools that remain unfilled, and as a result, we have schools that are overloaded," said SADTU KZN secretary Nomarashiya Caluza.
"The Department is even finding it difficult to fill temporary vacancies where people have taken leave. Those are all the vacancies that must be made available for these unemployed educators.”
As the first term draws to a close, the 96 teachers camped outside the department’s offices remain resolute, vowing not to leave without official appointment letters.
The department says posts will be available next month, while denying claims of a teacher shortage and allegations that positions are being sold, leaving the standoff unresolved.
- eNCA’s Nokwazi Qumbisa reports.