Report: 10% of teachers are absent daily at most South African public schools

A report released by the HSRC titled The Health of Educators states that one-third of teachers reported absent during 2014.

A report released by the Human Sciences Research Council titled The Health of Educators depicts that one-third of teachers reported absent during 2014.

The report also found that 10% of teachers are absent daily at most South African public schools, with funerals contributing towards the absenteeism, while sick leave accounts for 66%.

Basic Education Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga tells the Midday Report stand-in host, Clement Manyathela that these numbers highlight a serious problem. It affects the ability to cover the curriculum adequately, he adds..

Mhlanga explains that they are engaging educators to find measures of improving attendance.

We even use school holidays and weekends to make up for lost time.

Elijah Mhlanga, Basic Education Department spokesperson

Tuesday marked the second day that matric pupils in Vuwani, Limpopo missed their preliminary exams after the residents declared yet another shutdown.

Mhlanga adds that although it is concerning, the department of education cannot intervene without the support of the residents in Vuwani.

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