High Demand For STEM Teachers In Education Sector  

Career portal -  30 June  2022

Teachers play an important role in society as they help learners gain knowledge and skills that prepare them for life post-school or in their respective career paths. 

 More and more young people are choosing teaching as a career of choice.

According to the Education Department, the output has increased from 23 000 to 31 000 new education graduates coming out of universities between 2016 and 2020.

The Education Department has admitted that it has had challenges of whether the teachers that are currently employed are closing the gaps that exist in terms of meeting the needs of the education sector.

According to the Department of Education, there is high demand for Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, indigenous languages, and foundation phase teachers.

Stellenbosch University associate professor Nic Spaull released a report that stated about 45% of all public school teachers will retire in the next 10 years.

In an interview , Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga clarified:

We lose about 11 000 to 12 000 teachers every year and this happens due to different reasons, one of them is retirement the other is the change in careers and you also have others who unfortunately pass away.

However, Mhlanga shared that the statistics that were projected in the academic report are not consistent with what is on their system.

The department has confirmed that it has budgetary constraints that make it difficult to absorb each and every education graduate.

“Fortunately, through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative implemented in the Basic Education sector, we have recruited some qualified educators who, after participating in the program, get to be absorbed in schools,” said Mhlanga.

Unemployed education graduates have been advised to approach schools near them to establish if they are able to employ them using the School Governing-Body (SGB) appointments employment avenue.

www.samigration.com

Cut visa processing times, Home Affairs told, business complains of shortage of workers

Sydney Morning Herald – 30 June 2022

Federal officials have been told to act on an “extraordinary” backlog in visa applications for thousands of skilled workers at a time when employers claim they will have to shut down if they cannot find a solution to chronic labour shortages.

With experts warning of “gridlock” in the visa system, incoming federal ministers have put the backlog at the top of their agenda in a bid to speed up decisions when the number of skilled foreign workers in Australia has slumped to half the number seen a decade ago.

People are waiting months for their visa applications to be processed.

Official figures show the number of skilled foreign workers leaving Australia exceeded the number coming into the country in April, highlighting the pressure on the labour market when employers say they are waiting too long to have new visas approved.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has asked the Department of Home Affairs to act on the problem as a priority given the concerns put to him by the community before he was sworn into office last week.

But the scale of the backlog is difficult to measure because the previous government did not release figures on the number of applications for the 482 visa for skilled foreign workers or most other visa classes, although other measures have hinted at the growing wait for visa decisions.

“It’s just absolutely jammed and complaints are coming from every direction,” he said.

“Migration agents are tearing their hair out. Because of the way Home Affairs deals with issues, you can’t actually speak to a human being to find out what’s happening. Without more resources, it will remain gummed up.”

Rizvi said 8970 skilled foreign workers arrived in Australia in April but 9230 departed, resulting in a net outflow of 260 workers on the 482 visa category at a time when the country is meant to be opening up and filling labour shortages.

Australia had more than 195,000 skilled temporary visa holders in Australia in June 2014 but only 96,000 in March 2022, an outcome Rizvi blamed on changes under the former government that made visa applications more bureaucratic despite public claims about attracting people to Australia after the pandemic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the problem in his public remarks in Jakarta on Monday when he said he believed Australia should be “more welcoming” to visa applicants from Indonesia and other countries.

But the problem is more widespread. Officials are yet to confirm the scale of the backlog and the incoming government is yet to determine whether the solution will require a change to the design of the system, the administration of the rules or the resourcing of the department.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Andrew McKellar said employers were reporting significant barriers to finding skilled workers including “excessive” costs for visas and “protracted” processing times.

“Greater resourcing is needed to reduce protracted visa processing wait times. The current delays just aren’t good enough when so many businesses are left without staff and therefore can’t afford to stay open,” he said.

“To make the skilled migration system more accessible and responsible, we need to open employer sponsored migration up to all skilled occupations.”

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said employers could pay up to $25,000 for a 482 visa for a skilled worker, making it an expensive process when they could not find enough local workers. He said the previous 457 visa cost about $10,000.

“That might mean hiring fewer workers and missing out on contracts or losing opportunities to grow,” he said.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the priority should be to train local workers.

“Under the previous government the visa system prioritised the needs of employers above all else and facilitated the wide-spread exploitation and abuse of temporary migrant workers including systemic undercutting of minimum wages in many sectors,” she said.

“The visa system should prioritise permanent migration aimed at filling genuine skill gaps, paired with a renewed commitment to skills training and ensuring that where local workers can fill a job or be trained to do so, that is always the first option.”

www.samigration.com

Can an abandoned child get a birth certificate?

Groundup – 30 June 2022

"Home Affairs also says that you must be a South African citizen or permanent residence permit holder with a valid South African ID." Photo: Getty Images

The following question is a reader who wants to know if an abandoned child can get a birth certificate from Home Affairs.

The short answer

Yes, but you may need help to get Home Affairs to comply.

The whole question

My child's friend was abandoned by her mother - we do not know where she is. I am now looking after her, but she does not have any documents to apply for a birth certificate. She is 15 years old.

The long answer

All birth registration is regulated by the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1992. Late birth registration is split into three categories:

1. After 30 days but before one year

2. After one year but before 15 years

3. After 15 years.

These are the documents that Home

Affairs says are needed to register a birth after 15 years:

Application for an ID (Form B1-9)

Completed Forms DHA-24, DHA-24/A x 2 and DHA-288 for the registration of birth

Supporting documentation and written reasons why the birth was not registered within 30 days of birth.

Home Affairs also says that you must be a South African citizen or permanent residence permit holder with a valid South African ID.

Under Level 3 lockdown regulations, which we are in again (June 2021), a person had to make an appointment with Home Affairs to apply for late birth registration, so this is probably the case now.

Even though Section 28 of our Constitution says that every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth, many undocumented children struggle to be issued a birth certificate by Home Affairs.

In 2018 Lawyers for Human Rights took Home Affairs to court to force them to issue a birth certificate to an abandoned child, which they had been refusing to do.

The Pretoria High Court ordered Home Affairs to issue a birth certificate to the child.

One of the problems with Home Affairs, though, is that officials are not always aware of court rulings and may not always comply with them. Because of Covid-19, Home Affairs has also got a significant backlog, and it may take even longer than usual.

If you have difficulties dealing with Home Affairs, the following organisations have had much experience with them and may be able to assist you:

www.samigration.com

New Zealand Visa For French Citizens – Details of Visas granted by New Zealand

Digital Journey – 30 June  2022

ETA Criteria for French Citizens in New Zealand

The following are the eTA conditions for French visa holders in New Zealand:

• A valid passport: The traveler must have a valid French passport for at least three months from the date of departure from New Zealand.
• A valid email address is: The email address entered on the application will get the New Zealand eTA. It is critical to provide an email address that you regularly check to get updates on the eTA status.
• A payment method: French people will be required to pay a nominal charge to submit their application. They’ll need a legitimate payment method, including a credit card or debit card, to do so.
• A recent digital image of the French citizen: The candidate must submit a recent digital picture of the French citizen.

What Is an eTA for French Citizens in New Zealand and What Does It Do?

• The New Zealand eTA is a digital visa waiver for French nationals. It permits the bearer to enter the nation without going through the tedious procedure of applying for a visa.
• The New Zealand eTA, commonly known as the NZ Electronic Travel Authority, was implemented in 2019 and is available to French nationals wanting to visit the country.
• New Zealand has an electronic travel authorization (eTA) that permits visitors from more than 190 countries, including France, to enter the nation for several short visits.
• The user of this numerous internet visa waiver can stay in New Zealand for up to three months per visit.
• The validity of this document is two years from the date of issue or until the passport to which it is attached expires.
• It’s suitable for two years from the date of issue or until the passport to which it’s attached expires.

Procedures for Obtaining a New Zealand eTA from France

People from France will need to complete a brief online application form to register for the New Zealand eTA. Any gadget with an internet connection may be used for this. Travelers will be asked for basic personal and passport information on the New Zealand eTA application form, including the following:

• Name in full
• Year of birth
• Nationality
• Information about how to contact us
• Number on the passport
• Issued/expired date

The eTA registration for French nationals includes asking about their health and criminal history and whether they intend to seek medical care while in the country. It’s a good idea to double-check the form once you’ve completed it to ensure that the information you’ve supplied is valid and error-free. New Zealand Immigration may postpone or refuse your eTA request if there are any anomalies in the application. Families visiting New Zealand should be aware that each member of the group must complete their own NZeTA registration. It will be essential to pay the New Zealand eTA charge using a valid credit or debit card to apply.

Points to remember

• You will be asked to submit your passport upon arrival in New Zealand, which must be valid for at least three months beyond your scheduled departure date.
• In addition, you’ll need a valid New Zealand visa stamped on your passport.
• If your visa says ‘number of entries: many,’ you can travel back and forth between India and New Zealand as often as you like until the ‘expiration date of travel.’
• The typical tourist visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for a maximum of 9 months during the course of an 18-month term.
• The visa for New Zealand is not extendable.
• You will be deemed an illegal immigrant and may be expelled if your visa expires while you are still in New Zealand. As a result, it is critical to have a valid New Zealand Visa at all times.

www.samigration.com

South Africans can get ‘retirement visas’ for these 3 countries without having to buy property

Businesstech - 30 June 2022

Residence- and citizenship-by-investment (RBI and CBI) programmes have become very familiar over the past few years to South Africans who don’t have ancestral ties to other countries but are keen to gain residency or citizenship in a European country, and access to visa-free travel anywhere in the EU.

“These ‘golden visa’ schemes are, however, beyond the means of most South Africans, which is why we are excited about the other, much more affordable residency options that are now opening up around the world,” said Leana Nel, head of international sales and relocations for the Chas Everitt group.

The most popular are those generally termed ‘retirement visas’, which are aimed at people who have a certified monthly pension or annuity income sufficient to live on in the country of their choice.

They allow applicants to continue to work remotely and, unlike the current RBI and CBI schemes, they do not require applicants to buy real estate.

“This makes them accessible to many more people, and the timing couldn’t be better, because the European Union Commission on Citizenship is determined to ensure that all CBI programmes are completely phased out by 2025, and that stringent new rules are put in place for countries that continue to offer the RBI schemes,” said Nel.

“The Commission has become increasingly worried about the opportunities that visa-free travel around the EU creates for money laundering, tax fraud and various other serious crimes.”

Nel said the top three choices currently for South Africans who want to obtain permanent residency by applying for a ‘retirement visa’ are Mauritius, Portugal and Panama, and that the basic requirements for obtaining permanent residence in these countries are as follows:

Mauritius 

Mauritius offers a 10-year occupation or residence permit to ‘retired non-citizens’ over the age of 50 who are able to open a Mauritian bank account and make an initial deposit of $1,500 (R23,618), followed by $1,500 a month or $18,000 (R283,358) a year for the duration of the permit. Evidence of these deposits has to be presented to the authorities every year.

After three years, those who hold one of these occupation or residence permits can apply for a 20-year permanent residence permit. No purchase of property is necessary to obtain the initial retired non-resident occupation permit, and the spouse, parents and dependent children under-24 of permit holders can be included.

Retired non-citizen permit holders can also invest in a business in Mauritius although they cannot manage the business, be employed by it, or draw a salary. There is no restriction on remote work.

Portugal 

Portugal offers the D7 residency visa to retirees or income holders who want to live in Portugal and have sufficient passive foreign income to qualify.

Applicants need to open a Portuguese bank account and be able to deposit a minimum of €8,460 (R142,085) a year per individual or €12,690 a year per couple to qualify for the visa. They can buy property in Portugal if they wish but this is not necessary initially as long as they also have a rental agreement for at least 12 months.

After this, their application will need to be considered by the Portuguese Consulate before they are granted a four-month visa to visit Portugal and finalise the residency process with the immigration authorities.

The D7 visa confers non-habitual resident status, which includes exemption from tax on certain foreign income, and access to Portugal’s public health system. In addition, those with a D7 visa can after five years apply for citizenship or a Portuguese permanent residency permit valid for 10 years.

Family reunification can be carried out in terms of this visa, but requires an additional application and approval by the immigration authorities in Portugal.

Panama 

Panama offers the ‘pensionado visa’ to applicants who have a guaranteed income for life of at least $1,000 (R15,735) a month, to be deposited into a Panama bank account.

This can be a state pension, or a certified annuity from a bank, business or insurance company that has been accepted by the Panama Consulate.

Spouses and dependent children can be included in this visa, at an additional monthly income requirement of $250 per person. Children aged 18 to 25, however, need to be full-time students to qualify as dependents.

Once approved for a pensionado visa, applicants will immediately be issued with a temporary residence card and then, four to six months later, a permanent residence card that is valid for life and gives them access to Panama’s public health system, as well as many other pensioners’ benefits and discounts

www.samigration.com