But many are said to be treated with disdain and discriminated against. For the first time, researchers have quantified the number of migrant teachers in government employment.
In their book The Status of Migrant Teachers in South Africa academics James Keevy, Whitfield Green and Sadhana Manik reveal that in 2010 the state employed 1,633 teachers from other countries.
This is 0.5% of teachers in South Africa.
Most of the teachers are from Zimbabwe, Ghana and Nigeria and work predominantly in Gauteng and Eastern Cape.
"When considering that only 13,708 student teachers graduated in South Africa in 2012, compared with about 20,000 new teachers required annually, the presence of 1,633 migrant teachers becomes more meaningful," the authors said.
Basil Manuel, President of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA, said there were more foreign teachers employed by private schools, institutions and school governing bodies. He said migrant teachers were willing to work in rural areas, whereas local teachers were reluctant to do so.
"Migrant workers add value in the countries in which they serve. This is what we must show to mitigate against xenophobic overtones," said Manuel.
It costs foreign teachers R1,520 for a work permit and up to R990 to have their qualifications evaluated.
Other teachers complained about not being employed permanently, or not being promoted despite years of experience. About half of them expressed concerns about xenophobia.
Manik said it was hoped that the research would help secure better working conditions for migrant teachers.
"This is just the start. I hope ... we can get a fuller picture of teacher immigration to South Africa," Manik added.
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