The two qualification routes
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) — a four-year degree that combines academic subjects with teaching methodology and practical teaching. This is the most direct route for school leavers.
- Degree + PGCE — complete any relevant bachelor's degree, then a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This is the common route for people who decide on teaching after starting another degree.
Both routes must include teaching practice, and both lead to registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE).
Choosing your phase and subjects
Teachers specialise in a phase — Foundation Phase (Grades R–3), Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6), Senior Phase (Grades 7–9) or FET (Grades 10–12). Your subject choices matter enormously for employability. Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting and languages such as isiZulu and English are consistently in short supply, which makes those teachers easier to place. Foundation Phase teaching needs a strong all-round foundation rather than deep subject specialisation.
Entry requirements
For a B.Ed. you need a bachelor's pass in matric. Universities set their own APS requirements — generally higher for popular institutions — and some phases require specific subjects. For example, B.Ed. Senior/FET Mathematics requires matric Mathematics at a strong level. PGCE admission requires a completed bachelor's degree with sufficient credits in the teaching subjects.
SACE registration
All educators in public and most private schools must register with SACE. Registration is done once qualified, and annual fees apply. SACE also handles the continuing professional development (CPD) point system teachers must maintain.
Public vs private schools
Public school posts are advertised by provincial education departments and paid on the OSD salary scale with pension (GEPF), medical aid subsidy and housing allowance. Private schools set their own packages, which can be higher or lower than the state scale. New teachers often start with temporary or substitute posts before securing a permanent position — persistence and willingness to relocate help considerably.
Career progression
- Post Level 1: classroom teacher
- Post Level 2: Head of Department
- Post Level 3: Deputy Principal
- Post Level 4: Principal
- Beyond schools: subject advisor, curriculum specialist, district or provincial official
Salary expectations
Entry-level public school teachers (Post Level 1) typically start from around R18,000–R24,000 per month depending on qualifications (REQV level). HODs, deputies and principals earn progressively more. See our full teacher salary guide for the detailed ranges.