Teaching is a rewarding career, and many professionals describe it as a calling.
A good teacher has a direct influence on the behaviours and decisions of a student. This includes their career paths, academic pursuits, financial planning and recreational activities. They become the support systems and role models for the students.
The teaching jobs in South Africa offer professionals the opportunity to shape young minds and contribute effectively to the country’s education system.
Table of Contents
This article will serve as a guide, providing details on the various aspects of these jobs in South Africa.
Education Landscape in South Africa
South Africa’s educational landscape is going through a significant transformation. There are several trends that are shaping the future of learning in this country.
An effort is being made to enhance the accessibility, relevance and quality of education. This is to ensure that it meets the evolving needs of a dynamic and diverse society.
There is a strong focus on personalising education to meet individual needs and on using digital learning tools. In addition, there is an emphasis on equipping individuals with the skill set required for the modern workforce.
At the same time, efforts are underway to ensure that students can access quality learning opportunities, regardless of their background.
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Current State of Teaching Vacancies in South Africa
Currently, there are multiple teacher vacancies in South Africa across different institutions and hierarchy levels. According to sources, the teaching vacancies in the country once soared to more than 31,000.
Steps are being taken to fill out the vacancies, ensuring that there exists no class without a teacher.
It is important to note that these vacancies can change over time. Job seekers should stay up to date on the latest openings. The job types for these roles can vary, including permanent, temporary, full-time, and part-time positions.
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Overview of Nationwide Hiring Trends
The South African job market keeps evolving in response to the global trends, changing workforce expectations and economic pressures. Understanding the current hiring landscape is highly important for job seekers.
The current hiring environment reflects a strategic shift in the way organisations recruit, engage and retain talent.
In addition, hybrid work has gone mainstream, with more than 60% of employers in South Africa offering hybrid or remote roles. Then there’s the implementation of intelligent technology in the modern recruitment landscape.As per sources, more than 50% of the recruitment firms are using AI in the hiring process.
This scenario presents an opportunity for job seekers to embrace flexibility, upskill and explore new career options.
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Regional Breakdown of Teaching Vacancies
The teaching vacancies in South Africa can spread across several regions. This allows individuals from different parts of the country to find and target opportunities. Individuals seeking jobs can use filters in the job portals to check for opportunities at a specific location.
Given below are the teaching openings in South Africa as per some specific regions, as of 21st January 2026:
Sl. No. | Position | Organisation | Job Type | Job location |
|
1 | Teacher- Grade 1 | ADvTECH | Permanent | Edenvale, Gauteng |
|
2 | Assistant Teacher | Inspiring Minds – Edenvale | Full-time | Edenvale, Gauteng |
|
3 | Foundation Phase Teacher | Curro Holdings Ltd | Part-time | Krugersdorp, Gauteng |
|
4 | Online English Teacher | Carrot English | Temporary | Remote |
|
5 | High School Life Orientation Teacher | ADvTECH | Permanent | Centurion, Gauteng |
Public vs Private School Teaching Jobs
The type of school that you teach in can have a significant impact on your work life. Many types of schools exist, but generally all of them belong to one of the two categories, which are private or public. As a job seeker, you should know the difference between these two jobs.
In a public school, a teacher generally has to teach as per a government-approved curriculum. The private schools follow a standard curriculum. So a private school teacher may need to prepare students for the standardised tests that are conducted in public schools.
The class size in private schools is usually smaller than that of public schools. This makes it easier for a teacher to support and monitor their students’ learning individually.
About Temporary, Contract and Permanent Roles
As a teaching job seeker, you will come across different job types listed in the job descriptions. This includes permanent, contract and temporary job roles. Understanding the different job types will help you choose the right one for yourself.
Given below is an overview of the differences between these 3 job types:
- Temporary job type: These types of jobs last for an agreed-upon, predetermined time frame.
- Permanent job type: These jobs require an employee to work under an employment contract with no fixed end date.
Contract job type: These jobs are similar to temporary jobs because employees work for a short period in both. Usually, contractual employees are self-employed and are paid upon completing a predetermined deliverable or contract.
Online and Remote Teaching Opportunities in South Africa
There has been an accelerated shift towards online and remote learning options in South Africa. This has led to major changes in the country’s education institutions. As the importance of these forms of learning has increased, institutions are now focusing on providing accessible, high-quality education in a digital setting. This is further giving rise to online and remote teaching opportunities in the country.
The online and remote teaching options are flexible, allowing teachers to conduct classes from virtually any location. These options give teachers the opportunity to reach a wider audience.
Teacher Recruitment Seasons and Cycles
For a successful teaching job search, it is necessary for job seekers to know about the recruitment pattern that is followed in South Africa. It will allow them to apply for the right jobs at the right time. Recruitment can take place throughout the year. However, there may be months when hiring is higher.
For instance, according to sources, February is vital. The businesses start executing their first-quarter hiring strategies by this month. Human resources teams face pressure to fill key positions to meet new operational needs or to address positions that remain open from the previous year.
Recruitment in the education sector is high during this time, as the academic year starts in January. Aspiring teachers can find multiple openings in educational institutions during this period.
Challenges Teachers Face in South Africa
Teaching is a rewarding profession providing the opportunity to mentor and inspire children, guiding them to become responsible members of society. But there are multiple challenges in teaching jobs. Being informed about these challenges can help individuals take necessary steps to overcome them.
Here are some of the areas where teachers face challenges:
- Inadequate funding
- Carrying out endless paperwork
- Adapting to educational trends
- Time management
- Experiencing different learning difficulties and preferences
- Poor communication
- Disciplining students
- Long working hours
- Meeting the standards of the school administration
Required Qualifications and Teacher Registration
To become a teacher in South Africa, individuals must meet certain qualifications and registration requirements. Those looking forward to this profession should be aware of these requirements, as that would help them prepare accordingly. Aspiring teachers need to have either of the following qualifications to be able to teach in this country:
- Bachelor of Education: It prepares you to teach in a particular phase, which can be Senior, Further Education and Training, Foundation or Intermediate. Around 4 years of full-time study is required to complete a B.Ed programme. You can check out the AI-powered Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching programme from Regenesys.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): Graduates with a relevant bachelor’s degree and seeking the required qualifications to teach can consider this. Usually, it takes about 1 year of full-time study after completing a bachelor’s degree to acquire this degree.
Additionally, individuals must be registered with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) before applying for a teaching role. They should also possess certified copies of their qualifications along with a valid police clearance certificate.
Salary Expectations of Teachers in SA
Aspiring teachers should have an idea about how much they can expect to earn in their jobs in South Africa. Knowing the average salary that they can earn will help them understand this aspect.
According to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a teacher in South Africa is R 169 441 as of January 2026.
Individuals should note that salaries can vary by location and designation. For instance, according to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a teacher in Randburg, Gauteng, is R 456 000, as of January 2026.
An Overview of Teacher Retention and Turnover
Teacher turnover and retention are some major issues in South Africa. In recent years, many teachers have left the profession. Turnover can primarily be due to issues such as a lack of support, low compensation, and stress.
Teachers need to spend long hours on their jobs, including teaching, recording data, engaging in professional development, and participating in meetings. Over time, that stress results in burnout and eventually attrition. Teachers also feel they do not receive adequate support from school administrators, who fail to understand their issues. Additionally, many teachers are dissatisfied with the compensation they receive.
To retain good teachers in institutions, it is important to understand and address the issues they face. The authorities at the institutions must provide support and take steps to retain teachers. This will further benefit the institution and the country as a whole.
Future Outlook: Teaching Jobs in South Africa
The future outlook for teaching jobs in South Africa looks promising, as there is a significant shortage of teachers. There is likely to be a further shortage in the near future due to the ageing workforce. In addition, the number of learners will likely increase going forward. This presents a promising opportunity for aspiring teachers in the country.
With the advancement of technology, many professions may become obsolete. But children will always need to be educated through human interaction. All in all, it seems that teaching as a profession is worth considering.
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Conclusion
Teaching is a gratifying career option that allows individuals to guide, shape and inspire the futures of learners and earn a living out of it. There exists a demand for teachers in special needs, early childhood education, pre-primary, primary and high school.
In this regard, individuals can look forward to gaining the necessary qualifications and skill set to target teaching jobs in South Africa. Consider Regenesys Education to pursue an AI-powered Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching programme.
Visit the website and check the programme requirements.
FAQs
How to apply for teaching jobs in South Africa?
To apply for teaching jobs in South Africa, you can check the websites of private schools, the provincial education department and job portals like Indeed.
How much does a B.Ed. teacher earn in South Africa?
The salary of B.Ed teachers in South Africa can vary across locations and designations. According to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a teacher in South Africa is R 169 441 as of January 2026.
Is a SACE registration necessary to apply for teaching jobs in South Africa?
Yes, SACE registration is necessary to apply for teaching jobs in South Africa.
Where can I register for teaching?
To teach in South Africa, you need to register with the SACE.
When to get SACE registration?
You must get registered with SACE before applying for teaching jobs in South Africa.
