ActionSA seeks district-level breakdown, funding details and timelines
The opposition party ActionSA in the North West has formally submitted written questions to newly appointed Education MEC Dr Desbo Mohono after the national Minister of Basic Education disclosed that the province had 2 346 vacant teaching posts as of 30 June 2026.
The vacancy figure emerged in a written response to Parliament dated 5 August 2026. ActionSA says the timing is critical because learners are preparing for the 2026 final examinations and that unfilled posts are placing extra strain on classrooms and existing educators.
In its submission, ActionSA asks the MEC to account for whether the vacancies are funded substantive posts, how many had been filled by 31 July 2026, and to provide a district-by-district breakdown identifying schools with the most vacancies. The party also seeks details on the impact on learners in critical subjects.
- Number of vacancies: 2 346 (as of 30 June 2026)
- Deadline for filled posts breakdown: 31 July 2026
- Subjects of concern: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting and languages
ActionSA stressed that temporary or acting arrangements should not substitute for permanent appointments and demanded a time-bound plan, with budget allocations and completion dates, to fill all funded vacancies.
What ActionSA wants from the MEC
The party has framed its oversight questions to obtain concrete, district-level information. Key items requested include:
| Requested information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| How many of the 2 346 vacancies are funded substantive posts | To determine which posts can be permanently filled immediately |
| How many of these vacancies were filled by 31 July 2026 | To assess progress since the Parliament letter |
| District-by-district breakdown and schools with highest vacancies | To target interventions where learners are most affected |
| Numbers of learners affected, especially in critical subjects | To evaluate impact on matric preparedness and subject coverage |
| How many posts are frozen or not being filled and why | To understand budgetary or administrative constraints |
| A time-bound, budgeted plan to fill outstanding funded vacancies | To ensure continuity and learner protection during exams |
ActionSA said it will use its oversight role in the Provincial Legislature to press for specific, district-level and time-bound answers.
Risk to learners and teachers
ActionSA voiced concern that classrooms are already strained where learner numbers exceed available teachers. The party highlighted the potential impact on performance in critical subjects — Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting and languages — where shortages can have immediate consequences for Grade 12 candidates.
The party asked the MEC to spell out how many learners are affected and whether budget or policy decisions have led to posts being frozen or left unfilled. It also demanded clarity on temporary arrangements and urged that acting appointments not become a long-term substitute for permanent teachers.
Context for the provincial system
The disclosure to Parliament came as learners across the province prepare for final examinations. While the national Department of Basic Education provided the vacancy figure in response to parliamentary queries, ActionSA says the province must give a granular account so schools, parents and teachers know where help is needed.
A clear, district-based plan would enable education stakeholders — including school governing bodies and unions — to verify whether local recruitment, redeployment or emergency appointment measures are being applied where necessary.
What happens next
ActionSA has set the provincial MEC a public accountability task: provide district-level data, funding status, reasons for any frozen posts and a timetable to fill funded vacancies. The party warned learners and parents in the province that continued delays are not acceptable ahead of final exams.
The provincial Education Department has not publicly responded to ActionSA's submission at the time of this report. The party has indicated it will follow up through formal questions in the Provincial Legislature.
For parents and learners seeking immediate clarity, ActionSA's demands underline three practical points to confirm with their schools: whether the teacher in a subject is permanently appointed, whether the school has any acting appointments in key subjects, and whether there are plans for new appointments before examinations begin.
These confirmations can help identify where provincial intervention is most urgently required to protect learner outcomes.
