04 Apr 2017

Parliament has been informed that as of March 31, 2017 there were 160 vacant posts in the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology.

Dr Alfred Madigele said the majority of the vacancies were for the Department of Teacher Training and Technical Education which has 123.

“Vacancy level for other departments are corporate services 19, Department of Tertiary Education Financing 12, Department of Radiation Protection Inspectorate two and Department of Research, Science and Technology four posts,” he said.

Dr Madigele said all the vacancies at district level fall under the Department of Teacher Training and Technical Education, which oversees both colleges of education and technical colleges.

Meanwhile, he said there were a total of 149 temporary employees engaged by the ministry, and that these were not necessarily engaged for purposes of acquiring experience but for various reasons.

Dr Madigele, however, told Parliament that the process of filling the vacancies was not necessarily delayed, but that the ministry experiences challenges in filling them due to various reasons.

He said most of the vacancies, 123 posts were for technical colleges.  “We are unable to attract and retain staff in some specialised fields such as positions in the areas of jewelry design, heavy plant, geometrics, hair and beauty therapy, automotive technology, air conditioning and refrigeration, despite the fact that the scarce skills allowance was extended to individuals possessing qualities in those disciplines,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Madigele said the ministry was in a transition phase having been established on October 1, 2016 as part of the rationalisation of portfolio responsibilities.

On the other hand, he said the recruitment process was ongoing and at different stages for some of the posts.  

Specially Elected MP, Mr Mephato Reatile had asked the minister to state the total number of vacant posts in his ministry, the total number of temporary employees engaged to acquire experience and challenges that cause delay in filling the vacant posts. ENDS