’95 in a class’: SA teachers reveal shocking conditions [videos]
Scores of South African teachers are posting clips of their overcrowded classrooms – some of which have up to 100 learners in each one!
South African teachers are sharing their harrowing accounts of working in underresourced and overcrowded public schools, some of which include up to 100 learners in a single classroom.
SA TEACHERS REVEAL THE SHOCKING CONDITIONS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
On TikTok, several SA teachers have given the public insight into their role as educators at government schools. For many, this includes manning overcrowded classrooms with little resources.
Landi Strydom, a Gauteng grade one teacher, revealed that she had 53 learners in her class.
“I don’t have enough chairs and tables. And the sad part is that I know that there are teachers who have it worse.”
The desperate educator asked: “What is up with the education system? Why does our government not take education seriously?”
@teacherlandi #tiktoksouthafrica #teachersoftiktok #teacherlandi #teacherthings #bestteacher ♬ original sound – Landi
Another teacher who uses the TikTok handle @guguandsummer revealed that she had 95 learns in her class. In a video she revealed that three learners had to share a desk made for one child!
She said: “When it comes to all their names, I do not know them, when it comes to marking their books, I dont do it as thoroughly as I should. When it comes to discipline it is very difficult. There is no space, I dont even hae a desk for myself.
She continued: “The structures of the schools are not up to standard – we even use pit latrines!”
@guguandsummer Replying to @nokwindla34 ♬ original sound – Gugu and Summer
@guguandsummer Replying to @bigvicenergy369 ♬ original sound – Gugu and Summer
Others teachers shared similar experiences…
@petuniagaffane: “I’m on 85 grade 2’s”
@wa_totetsi: “I have 91 in my grade 10 classes”
@lebohang.joy: “We have a class that has 74 learners in grade 8. It’s a nightmare”
HOW MANY IS TOO MANY?
According to a research paper by the University of Stellenbosch’s Department of Economics, overpopulated classrooms were not conducive to learning and teaching, particularly in the foundation phase.
The paper suggests that any number of learns exceeding 35 is considered overcrowding.
However in 2022, then Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga claimed the ratio of one teacher per 35 learners was not set in stone.
She told IOL: “There are currently no legislated norms and standards for learner-to-educator ratio in public schools.
She continued: “The post provisioning norms apply what is referred to as ideal maximum class size for each subject, which ranges from six learners per class in the case of music to 37 for subjects that accommodate large class sizes”.
“These are ideal measures that the sector strives to achieve through continuous improvement in providing resources.”
MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION: ‘THE PRESSURES ARE IMMENSE’
Fast forward to 2025, and overcrowding of classrooms is still a detrimental factor for many teachers.
New Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube this week claimed she had identified areas where there was a large teacher to learner ratio. One area was the province of Mpumalanga.
She tweeted on Wednesday, 22 January: “There is a critical need to build more schools in the area that can cater to the overflow of learners.
“We will be working with the MEC to ensure that infrastructure is prioritised in the province.
The minister added: “The pressures are immense”.
WHAT SHOULD THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND TEACHERS HANDLE OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS?
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