Foreigners to rescue

Foreign teachers who specialise in crucial subjects such as mathematics are helping alleviate the critical skills shortage in South Africa.

But many are said to be treated with disdain and discriminated against. For the first time, researchers have quantified the number of migrant teachers in government employment.

In their book The Status of Migrant Teachers in South Africa academics James Keevy, Whitfield Green and Sadhana Manik reveal that in 2010 the state employed 1633 teachers from other countries.

This is 0.5% of teachers and most are on contract.

Most of the teachers are from Zimbabwe, Ghana and Nigeria. They work predominantly in Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

English, mathematics and Afrikaans are the top specialisations, the study found.

"When considering that only 13708 student teachers graduated in South Africa in 2012, compared with about 20000 new teachers required annually, the presence of 1633 migrant teachers becomes more meaningful," the authors said.

Basil Manuel, president of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA, said there were more foreign teachers employed by private schools, institutions and school governing bodies.

He said migrant teachers were willing to work in rural areas, whereas locals were reluctant.

"Migrant workers add value in the countries in which they serve. This is what we must show to mitigate against xenophobic overtones," said Manuel.

It costs foreign teachers R1520 for a work permit and up to R990 to have their qualifications evaluated.

Martha, a Zimbabwean interviewed for the book, worked as a maid to raise the money.

Other teachers complained about not being employed permanently, or not being promoted despite years of experience. About half of them expressed concerns about xenophobia.

Tamy, a Zambian, said often pupils told them: "Go home, why are you here?"

"They don't know that I understand their language," she said.

Manik said it was hoped that the research would help secure better working conditions for migrant teachers.

"This is just the start. I hope... we can get a fuller picture of teacher immigration to South Africa."