A teacher is a person who educates others. This is a professional occupation, carried out a school or other place of formal education.

Teaching is a highly valued and rewarding profession. People who are best suited to become teachers are those who are outgoing, enthusiastic and able to work with people, especially children. Teaching is all about sharing information and educating the next generation. To become a successful teacher you must want to inspire, motivate, stimulate and develop the minds of your students. Good communication skills are key to success because a teacher communicates with students, parents and colleagues on a daily basis.

If you have these qualities, then you have what is essential to become a teacher, so go for it. However it is not as easy as it sounds.  A teacher needs to do a lot of planning. Planning is an everyday task because before a teacher goes to class, they must be well-prepared for what they are going to present in that lesson. As a teacher you also need to have the ability to evaluate student's performances critically.

Those who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching need to have a relevant diploma/degree. Below is a list of institutions that offer courses in teaching. Students who are unable to afford university fees have the option of either applying for a student loan or for a bursary. For more information on that click here

1. University of the Western Cape

The Faculty of Education currently offers a wide range of professional and academic programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These programmes are designed to develop the intellectual, academic and professional capacity of students in teaching and related professions. They cover fields such as pre- and in-service teacher education, language education, science and mathematics education, curriculum studies, adult education, further education, higher education, policy studies, special needs education, the history, sociology and philosophy of education, as well as educational leadership and management.

Programmes currently on offer are:

• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE)
• National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE)
• Programmes in Adult Education
• B.Ed (Hons)
• Master of Education (M.Ed)
• PhD

Postal Address

The University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville 7535,
Republic of South Africa

Tel: 021 959 2911

2. The Centre for Creative Education

The Centre for Creative Education offers the following qualifications:-

• Bachelor of Education (Foundation and Intermediate Phase) for teaching primary school children
• Bachelor of Arts (Dance) in Eurythmy (an art of movement) for teaching, performing or guiding social processes
• Certificates in Early Childhood Development (NQF Levels 1, 4 and 5) and National Diploma in ECD for educare/kindergarten/pre-school

Postal address:-

Centre for Creative Education
P.O. Box 280
Plumstead 7801
South Africa

Tel: 021-797-6802
Fax: 021-797-7095
Email: info(at)cfce.org.za
Intl tel: 27-21-797-6802

2. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

School for Initial Teacher Education
PO Box 77000
Faculty of Education
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Port Elizabeth
6031

27 41 504 2387

What are the admission requirements?

The minimum entry requirements from 2009 onwards for the BEd degree are explained below:

• An achievement rating of 4 (50%) or better obtained in four subjects from the approved designated list
• Approved Designated List = Accounting, Information Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Languages (2 official), Business Studies, Life Sciences, Dramatic Arts, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Economics, Music, Engineering, Graphics & Design, Physical Sciences, Geography, Religion Studies, History, Visual Arts, Consumer Studies
• A minimum of 34 Admissions Points Score (APS) points
• Applicants scoring between 26-33 APS points must complete the university's Admissions & Placement Assessment Test. Continue

Last Updated: 08 December 2010