Disgruntled Grade R teaching diploma holders in North West have embarked on a march in Mahikeng against the Provincial Department of Education’s alleged decision to phase out the qualification.
The diploma-holders say they battle to get jobs as Grade R teachers despite having spent three years studying for the requisite qualifications. They say they are demanding their qualification be recognised. This after they were told they do not qualify to teach Grade R.
“Where I stay my mother is not working. I’m the breadwinner. I went to university to better my family’s lives. Now if they say that the qualification is not working what will happen to us? Are we going to also increase the unemployment rate across the country? We are pleading with the Department to look into this situation, especially now that there is a new Minister of Education. Please look into this situation, we are asking you and we are pleading with you.”
