High school educators specialize in the education of learners in grades 8 - 12. They usually teach in selected subjects only and therefore are required to have a solid understanding of their subject and a mastery of core teaching skills. They follow the syllabus of work laid down by the relevant education department and may use various teaching methods and demonstrations, as well as audiovisual aids. They prepare teaching outlines, assign tasks and correct homework. They give learners tests to evaluate their progress and prepare them for examinations.
In addition to the implementation of the curriculum in the classroom, high school educators also have various administrative tasks to perform, such as recording of results, the issuing of progress reports to parents, keeping attendance records and participating in departmental and professional meetings and educational conferences. Educators may also be required to coach learners in various kinds of sports and cultural activities during the afternoons and/or be responsible for special activities or school societies.
The work of educators is challenging because each learner is different and often a learner will require individual support and encouragement. By the same token, educators are required to enforce discipline in the classroom in order to create an environment conducive to learning. They should also be able to respond to evidence of child abuse and neglect and be able to cope with emergencies. Increasingly, schools work with a range of external agencies such as employers, local partnership and anti-poverty networks, health boards, etc, to ensure that the school is responding to students' needs and the needs of the local community.
The work can be very rewarding and educators are providing a valuable service to the community, which can be demanding and pressurized at times but equally rewarding at other times. It is possible for secondary school educators to branch into more specialized areas such as career guidance, remedial teaching, etc. Many secondary level schools provide adult education programmes for the local community.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with teenagers
- working without close supervision in a responsible job
- job security
Demanding aspects
- working long hours and sometimes after hours
- dealing with unpleasant children and parents
- not very high remuneration
Requirements
A secondary school educator should:
- have a keen interest in children;
- be able to promote and maintain good relations and contact with people;
- have the elements of humour and compassion required to maintain perspective
and create a relaxed atmosphere;
- have good subject knowledge;
- have a balanced and sober view of life;
- have tolerance, tact, sympathy and patience;
- set a good example for others to follow;
- be mature;
- have a strong personality and emotional stability;
- have good health and stamina;
- be able to speak and write well.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Depends on the field of study
Recommended Subjects: Depends on the field of study
Training
National Senior Certificate meeting the requirements for a degree or diploma course.
Each institution has its own entry requirements.
Degree: there are different ways of obtaining a teaching degree:
One of the more flexible options is to first complete a bachelor degree at a university of either 3 or 4 years, depending on the course concerned, followed by a one year PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) for Grades 7 to 12. The bachelor degree must include as major subject(s), those that you wish to teach, (a major subject is a subject taken for the full term of the degree programme).
Note: Every institution will have its own subject requirements to qualify for acceptance. It is advisable to contact the institution at which you wish to study before making a final choice of subjects.
A second means of obtaining a teaching degree is via the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree, a 4-year programme that integrates academic and professional training, intended for prospective teachers and those wishing to enter other educationally-related fields, which is offered by universities and universities of technology. Students may choose one of the following school-phase endorsements (each having a particular combination of core and phase-specific modules):
- Intermediate & Senior phases (Grades 4-6 & 7-9)
- Senior phase & Further Education & Training: TVET (Grades 7-9 & 10-12)
For a Senior phase and TVET endorsement, specialisation is offered in:
- Services
- Engineering and Technology
- Business & Management Studies
- Science (including Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences).
Qualifications in Education may be obtained at all universities.
Most universities offer a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time course in remedial education.
Diploma: diploma courses in teaching provide a practical and focused teaching qualification targeted at specific levels of education, i.e. Foundation phase (Grades R-3), Intermediate, Senior phases and TVET. The teaching diploma is offered by a number of universities and universities of technology. A diploma can be upgraded to a degree at a later stage.
Postgraduate: Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) courses are offered by most universities. These Certificates are, in particular, available for teachers of Grade 12 Life Sciences, English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences. This training focuses on upgrading the subject knowledge and teaching skills of teachers.
A South African teaching qualification is highly regarded in most other Commonwealth countries. It also provides an excellent foundation for entry into other career paths outside the education industry. South Africa is planning to reopen three former teacher training colleges.
All educators need to register with the South African Council of Educators (SACE). You cannot be hired as an educator if you are not registered.
Employer
- government schools
- provincial schools
- private schools
- self-employment
Educators can work for themselves if they have the necessary resources to establish a private school and pay for services rendered by teachers they employ. However a private school must be registered with the government and has to follow the prescribed syllabus and conform to set standards. To earn an extra income a teacher can give extra or part-time classes, for example in Mathematics or Adult-education.
Contact
National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa
P O Box 572
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 324-1365 Fax: (012) 324-1366
www.naptosa.org.za