At a recent career expo the department of education was touting R14 000 a month (gross before deductions) as a starting salary for maths and science teachers. The reality is that thousands of dedicated teachers with years of experience earn far less. Once deductions for medical aid and pensions are factored in, there’s not much left to balance the books at month end.
That’s why thousands of desperate teachers joined the national public sector strike in August and September last year.
“The fact that some striking teachers acted unprofessionally during the strikes — does not change the fact that teachers are not assured of future remuneration sufficient to secure their ongoing participation in the profession,” says Kim Forbes, an ex-teacher who now works in the private sector.
What can teachers do to supplement their income?
Before tackling this question, it’s important to dispel certain myths around the teaching profession. The spare time the public believes teachers have is quickly eaten into by administrative tasks and extramural activities. Dedicated teachers often spend more hours at work than the typical nine-to-five executive.
For those who have a few spare hours — perhaps saved by doing only the minimum four hours of extramural activities a week — the quickest and easiest way to generate extra funds is to offer extra lessons.
Teachers can earn up to R200 an hour for group maths and science lessons. Teachers can also generate extra income by offering coaching in their extramural sports.
There are other ways for teachers to leverage their subject expertise. Forbes notes: “I know some teachers who create learning material, either contributing to existing study guide publications or their own textbooks.”
Options outside the teaching profession are few and far between. A popular opportunity for women teachers is to sell one of many cosmetic ranges to the extended network they’ve built up while teaching. Products that offer multi-level distribution channels include Avon and Annique.
One of the disappointments of the current teacher remuneration environment is the number of teachers who leave South Africa for lucrative teaching posts overseas. They head out in the hope of returning someday with enough money for a deposit on a home; but many don’t return.
“Aspiring teachers who love the profession should be encouraged to enter into it,” says Forbes, “but they should accept that they will never be wealthy”.