DBE Dismisses Fake Claims Of R350 Verification Fee For Teacher Job Applications

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has strongly denied rumours circulating on social media that teachers must pay R350 for verification when applying for teaching positions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the department clarified that no payments are required for any recruitment or verification processes.

DBE spokesperson Terence Khala dismissed the claims featured in a viral TikTok video as “false and misleading”, adding that no teacher will ever be asked to deposit money into any “unspecified account.”

“These claims are completely untrue, malicious, and intended to deceive educators, public servants, learners, and the general public,” the statement read.

DBE: Recruitment Processes Are Always Free and Official

Khala explained that all legitimate recruitment, verification, and appointment procedures are handled directly by provincial education departments.

“The department wishes to make it unequivocally clear that no payment, fee, or deposit of any kind is ever required from teachers, public servants, or learners as part of the department’s verification or recruitment processes,” he said.

He added that the verification process is part of the department’s normal administrative checks, aimed at maintaining the integrity and safety of South Africa’s education system.

Khala urged anyone asked to pay money for job placement to report the matter immediately to law enforcement or the department’s hotline, warning that such requests are fraudulent.

DBE Vows Action Against Those Spreading False Information

Khala further confirmed that the DBE is working with authorities to trace the source of the misinformation.

“We take these false claims very seriously. Our teachers, public servants, and learners deserve protection from exploitation and misinformation,” he said.

“The department will not tolerate individuals or groups who misuse its name to defraud or mislead the public. Such conduct is criminal and an attack on the integrity of our education system. We will act decisively, working with law enforcement, to ensure accountability.”

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He also urged South Africans to avoid sharing unverified social media content.

“Teachers, public servants, learners, and members of the public are reminded to rely solely on the department’s official communication channels for credible information,” the statement continued.

“The department calls on all citizens to help combat fake news by verifying information before sharing it. Disinformation erodes public trust, disrupts the work of educators, and distracts from the department’s core mission of delivering quality education to all learners in South Africa.”

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