Most Western Cape teachers retire at the age of 60 instead of 65 “because they just can’t cope with the pressures in the environment”.

And the Free State education department warned that “not every Tom, Dick and Harry” should be allowed to join the teaching profession.

These were some of the comments made during a national dialogue on teacher supply and demand that was convened by the department of higher education in partnership with basic education and the South African Council for Educators on April 21...