Teaching is a noble profession, but you might wonder if you need to have an Education Degree to get a job. One of the most common questions I am asked is, “Can I teach with a Higher Certificate in Education?”
Yes, you can teach with a higher certificate in education. However, your opportunities are limited as Higher Certificates are not recognized as a proper qualification for teaching in South Africa.
Can I Teach With A Higher Certificate In Education
Yes, it is possible to teach with a Higher Certificate in Education (HCE), but your employment opportunities are limited.
HCEs are not recognised by the Department of Basic Education as a qualification for teaching in South Africa. This means that if you want to work as a teacher, you will need to obtain either an NQF Level 6 or 7 qualifications.
In other words, you can’t just apply for any job opening: you must be applying for the correct position at the correct level of education and training.
Teaching Career Levels in Education
1. Teaching at the primary school level
Teaching at the primary school level is the most common way to start a career in education. However, you will have limited employment opportunities if you choose this pathway. You may need to work in a remote area or alongside other teachers on a casual basis, so be prepared to be flexible in your employment opportunities.
If you do prefer working with children at the primary school level, then there are many different jobs available for people with higher certificates, such as:
- Teacher aide
- Classroom Assistant
- Guidance counsellor
- Literacy and numeracy specialist
2. Teaching at the secondary school level
Teachers who teach at the secondary school level must have an HCE as well as a teaching qualification such as:
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject with 9 credits (six months) of study in education which includes an introduction to teaching and learning theory (3 credits) and an introduction to curriculum development (2-3 credits).
3. Teaching at tertiary institutions
If you want to teach at a higher education institution or university, it is not possible with an HCE. You will need to have a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science), or a master’s degree or PhD. When applying for jobs as an academic staff member at tertiary institutions, be sure to let them know that you have an HCE as well as other required qualifications and not just experience teaching outside of school.
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Closing
If you want to pursue a career as a teacher, it is important to be aware of the different teaching qualifications available and what they mean for your employment prospects. If you are interested in teaching at primary schools then you can take up some roles with Higher Certificate in Education.
This qualification allows you to teach in South Africa at both levels with no additional requirements (e.g., Bachelor’s degree). However, if you want to teach at tertiary institutions or specialise in any specific area (such as sports science or music), then obtaining a Bachelor’s degree may be necessary before progressing to postgraduate studies.
