STUDENT EXPERIENCES OF IMMIGRANT TEACHERS IN SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS

Abstract

Aside from the rapid and ever-changing curriculum reform efforts in South Africa, stakeholders in education should seriously consider reforming and revising in-service and pre-service teacher education. Such an action may just contribute to injecting much needed quality back into the education system of South Africa, which is currently in a state of extreme crisis. Furthermore, such an initiative may just be the catalyst needed to offset the current lackadaisical and non-committal attitude of many South African teachers, as it may provide a competitive edge and bargaining tool for the Department of Education. Employment of teachers should be based on merit, qualifications, commitment, work ethic, culture of teaching and learning, a calling and most of all an 'ethic of care' and a pedagogy of hope, love and compassion. Quality education of learners should not depend or be defined by the immigrant or nationality status of teachers.