It is perhaps the most powerful quotation associated with school reform in recent times: “The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers.” That sounds right and the global consultancy firm McKinsey & Company has the knack of putting into easy sound-bites these kinds of wisdoms about education. But what does that mean for South Africa? Quite simply, we are in trouble.Unlike the top performing school systems in the world, the most talented students in our country do not choose teaching as a career. For good reason. The image of the profession, though exaggerated, is one of sulking, lazy, striking, lethargic teachers who may or may not show up for school let alone appear in the classroom for teaching. Image and status matter to young people and graduates looking for a profession that reflects their own ideals and aspirations as new career entrants drift easily towards law, accounting, medicine and architecture. Not teaching. After all, they sat in schools ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.