In an attempt to make sure papers aren’t left unmarked, the department has decided to ease the selection criteria for new markers. Director-General Mathanzima Mweli said provincial education departments can now hire grade 11 teachers if they meet the requirements.
Traditionally, the department used to hire Grade 12 teachers who had at least two years of experience on the subject or language they applied to mark.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and the risk-adjusted strategy, would impact on the availability of markers across all provinces, given the risks associated with large gatherings and the large number of educators that are over the age of 60 and those with comorbidities,” Mweli said.
“Teachers currently teaching Grade 11, provided that they have taught the subject in Grade 12 for a minimum of two years in the last five years, can be considered for marking,” he said.
Mweli said although grade 11 teachers can be hired, some subjects would have to be marked by teachers with experience in teaching grade 12 subjects.
“However, in the case of languages, Paper 2 (literature), the applicants must have taught the Grade 12 genres being examined in 2020.”
Provinces have also been allowed to “exceed the allowed 10% quota of novice markers that can be appointed per subject, per paper”, Mweli said.
Provincial heads have also been given permission to tweak the requirements even more if they face extreme shortages.
“In exceptional circumstances, where the required number of markers for a subject cannot be achieved, the criteria for the appointment of markers … may be relaxed by the head of department, provided it does not compromise the quality of marking,” Mweli said.
The National Teachers Union (Natu) wants the department to first hire grade 12 teachers before opening the marking positions to grade 11 teachers.
“We’re saying before you can talk about Grade 11 teachers, we have so many Grade 12 teachers who applied and have not been appointed,” said Alan Thompson of Natu.
Spokesperson of the Basic Education Department, Elijah Mhlanga said the department has been facing a shortage of markers even before covid-19 and it was now using this time to get the situation under control.
“It is being addressed through training and skilling of teachers who have the potential to be appointed as markers.”
