With the dramatic shift in the educational landscape in recent years comes a significant change in the way educators are hired. “Schools and educational institutions have increasingly shifted towards hybrid or fully online models, especially following the 2020 pandemic. This change has created a demand for educators with strong digital skills who can effectively teach in virtual environments,” explains Anja Bates, head of data at Pnet. Traditional teaching roles now require fluency in technologies such as e-learning platforms, remote classroom management tools, and subject matter expertise.
“In fact, all educators in the Digital Age now require general “hands-on technology" skills and tech savviness. For example, the introduction of freely available AI tools has made it necessary for teachers to evaluate student's assignments while simultaneously checking that the work has been done by the student and not copied and pasted from ChatGPT,” says Bates.
Pnet recognises the critical role that teachers play, especially in the face of constant technological advancements both inside and outside the classroom. This is why they are committed to making careers in education more accessible and attractive through key initiatives, such as:
Considering the evolving role of teachers in the digital age, it’s clear that professional growth is essential to ensuring teachers are equipped for the future. Pnet highlights that supporting teachers’ professional development is essential to help them meet modern educational demands. This includes ongoing digital training, access to cutting-edge resources, and opportunities for peer collaboration. Flexible learning options, such as short courses and micro-credentials, can further enhance their digital literacy and teaching methods. Adaptability, digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and creativity are just a few of the qualities that modern educators must develop so they can better engage students, encourage innovation, and lead the way in educational excellence.
However, South Africa faces a critical shortage of educators, particularly in rural areas and under-resourced schools. Public-private partnerships are vital to bridging this gap. By developing talent pipelines, promoting education careers, and offering targeted recruitment campaigns, these collaborations can help attract more teachers to underserved regions.
“Working together, the public and private sectors can create incentive programmes to attract and retain teachers in high-need areas,” says Bates. “For example, government bodies could provide subsidies, and private companies could offer tech tools or learning resources through partnerships to support teachers in rural or underserved regions.”
