Building A Stronger Education System Starts With Supporting Teachers

South Africa is entering 2026 with a teacher shortage that continues to threaten the stability of the country’s schooling system. More than 32 000 teachers have left public schools in the past five years with most of the departures being resignations rather than natural retirements, signalling deeper strain inside classrooms. What’s more, as schools across the country grapple with overcrowding, emotional pressure on staff and growing safety risks, teachers are overwhelmed and the sector cannot replace them.

Forecasts show that South Africa will need more than 428 000 educators by 2030 to maintain a steady learner-educator ratio. Yet thousands of qualified graduates never enter public schools or leave within a few years because the environment is simply too demanding. The country is caught in a cycle where stressed teachers exit, remaining staff absorb even heavier loads and new entrants struggle to cope. Breaking this requires training models and workplace support that match the realities of modern classrooms.

The pressure inside classrooms demands a new kind of preparation

Teachers today carry responsibilities far beyond traditional instruction. Many manage large classes while dealing with learners who face violence, hunger or instability at home. They absorb significant emotional strain and are often expected to provide counselling and social support without formal training. Admin demands continue to rise and many schools struggle with limited resources which leaves teachers juggling tasks that extend well beyond teaching time.

The impact has been severe. Reports show nearly half of teachers regularly feel burned out. In some provinces, schools rotate classes or rely on underqualified stand-ins because vacant posts remain unfilled for months. This undermines learning and places extra pressure on the staff who remain. Addressing this requires more than recruitment drives. It calls for training approaches that build classroom readiness, emphasise resilience and strengthen the pipeline with graduates who feel equipped from the start.

Emeris strengthens teacher preparation with modern methods and strong support

Emeris is reshaping its education programmes to respond directly to these pressures, unifying respected higher education brands together under one umbrella supported by the Independent Institute of Education. This shift gives students access to unified academic standards, purpose-built learning environments and strong support systems.

Dr Andre Abrahams, Executive Dean Academic at Emeris, says South Africa must move past outdated expectations of what teacher training should look like. “Classrooms have changed. Teachers need practical skills for managing complex situations. Our programmes are built around active learning so students practise applying knowledge rather than memorising content. This is what schools want. They need graduates who can walk in and manage real classrooms.”

Emeris focuses on small class sizes, consistent mentorship and partnerships with schools to ensure students gain practical experience throughout their studies. The Faculty of Education’s programmes include strengthened preparation for technical and occupational subjects, which are becoming central to the country’s future workforce needs.

Susan Friederichs Van Harmelen, Dean of the Faculty of Education, says teacher well-being must be intentionally considered within the training journey. “The emotional pressure on teachers is significant. If we want them to stay in the profession, we have to acknowledge that reality early on. Our programmes emphasise classroom management, professional resilience and reflective practice so that students are better prepared for the demands they will face in schools. Equipping future teachers to recognise pressure points early helps them enter the profession with greater confidence and realism.”

Alongside this, Emeris continues to enhance the integration of digital tools within learning and teaching, prioritising pedagogically sound use of technology that supports classroom practice and prepares students for a range of school contexts.

South Africa’s teacher shortage will not resolve without targeted action. Strengthening the pipeline requires modern training methods, a real commitment to teacher well-being and safe school environments where educators feel heard and protected.. When teachers are properly supported from the moment they begin training the impact reaches every learner and strengthens the education system as a whole.