Teacher number is 45,400

 By JEFFREY ELAPA 

THE number of government school teachers increased from 32,022 to 45,485 over a 10-year period while salaries rose from K453 million to K622 over a five-year period, according to a report presented in parliament yesterday.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) report of 2009-2011, tabled by acting Education Minister James Marape, stated that the teaching service was the single largest sector workforce in the country with an average growth rate of 5% annually since 2002.

Marape said that the total workforce had grown from 32,022 in 2002 to 45,485 by the end of 2011.

He said the number was constantly increasing due to new teacher recruits from various colleges and the intake of elementary teachers.

Marape said that following a National Education Board decision, the Seventh Day Adventist mission teachers joined the teaching service, which increased the overall total.

He added that the reduction of teachers in 2009 could be attributed to the growth in the number of students as a result of the universal basic education policy and the reforms in curriculum which had placed greater demands on the teachers.

According to the report, the TSC oversees terms and conditions of employment of teachers and during the reporting period, on average, over 10 000 queries were received, mostly on teachers’ salaries and allowances.

The report further stated that during 2011, many unqualified people who entered the teaching service through fraudulent means were identified and terminated while others were referred to police for criminal charges. 

However, the actual numbers of teachers were not reported.

Several increases in remuneration and benefits were also addressed through agreements reached between the commission and the teacher’s association.

The report indicated an increase in the teachers’ salaries and leave fares. 

In 2008, the total appropriation was K452,800,000. 

It then increased to K646,868,500 in 2010 and in 2012 the total appropriation was K622,891,400, reflecting the total increase in the corresponding years.