The Department of Basic Education has gazetted a 4% salary adjustment for South African teachers, which will take effect from 1 April 2026. The new figures apply to all teachers under the Teachers' Employment Act. South Africans had a lot to say after the numbers were made public.
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The updated pay scale sees entry-level teachers starting at R169,707 per year. Before deductions this works out to approximately R14,142 per month. At the top, a P5 principal can now earn up to R1,326,822 annually, which is R110,569 per month.
what the numbers really look like
Teacher pay is structured around 432 levels linked to qualifications and experience. REQV levels 10 to 12 include teachers with matriculation and basic training. REQV covers people aged 13 and above with diplomas and degrees. The higher the level, the bigger the pay band.
General classroom teachers with REQV 10 to 12 qualifications can earn between R169,707 and R600,504 per year. People with REQV 14 to 17 qualifications earn between R366,051 and R794,151 annually. Departmental heads can earn up to R1,094,826, while vice-principals can earn up to R1,183,578 per year. Teachers also receive pension contributions, medical aid subsidies, and Accommodation Allowances on top of their basic salary.
Online reactions to the figures were divided right down the middle. One teacher said they take home R25,000 after deductions on a gross salary of R32,000, with eight years' experience at PL1 level. Another hit back at those who expressed surprise, saying that no teacher earns less than Rs 21,000. Others questioned whether the published figures reflected the reality of how much teachers are actually paid each month.
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Source: News in Brief