Though the selection process is reputedly tough, almost 2 000 graduates believe they have what it takes and have applied to become TEACH ambassadors.

Launched earlier this year, TEACH SA (Teachers, Education and Curriculum Help) is a non-profit educational programme that places graduates at schools that have a critical shortages of teachers.

The programme is supported by Deloitte SA, Barloworld, African Leadership Initiative, Gauteng's provincial government, Gauteng's department of education, the University of Pretoria and various private sector organisations.

TEACH ambassadors are graduates who, despite not having qualified as teachers, choose to dedicate two years of their lives helping out at schools.

In return, TEACH ambassadors receive training in teaching techniques and other relevant topics and earn the same salary as a newly qualified teacher.

Richard Masemola, founding member and executive director: ongoing support and special projects at TEACH SA, says there are many advantages in becoming a teach ambassador.

"Graduates that are selected for the programme undergo training in teaching techniques before they are sent to a school," he says.

"In addition to the initial training period, continuous support over the two years is provided in the form of mentorship, short courses in teaching techniques, leadership, business management as well as life skills."

Teach ambassadors thus earn while they learn but that is not all - although the work they do can be regarded as community work, it counts as valuable work experience that they can put on a CV.

There aren't many opportunities like this, so it's not surprising that the number of applications for the next academic year have increased tremendously.

The initial roll-out to schools in Gauteng started at the beginning of the 2009 academic year with 25 ambassadors being placed in seven schools (two primary schools and five high schools) in the Ekurhuleni South district.

TEACH is to be extended to other regions next year and the intention is to place about 100 ambassadors countrywide.

"Education changes life opportunities," says Futhi Mtoba, chairman of Deloitte and founder member of TEACH.

"Allowing our children to experience discrepancies (in quality) in their education today means perpetuating those discrepancies in their economic standing for the rest of their lives."

Feedback from principals of the initial roll-out schools, as well as from the ambassadors, has been positive.

Principals say TEACH ambassadors have made a significant difference, bringing with them a fresh excitement to learning and teaching.

"Since working in this programme, I have observed such a profound change in attitudes of learners towards life and their work that it has made me realise that teaching is my calling," says TEACH ambassador Lerato Mokhatla, a BCom Economics graduate who was employed as a management accountant and business relationships manager prior to joining TEACH.

Another TEACH ambassador, BSc Hons Psychology graduate Elby Kabamadondo, says it's not only learners who benefit from the programme.

"A facilitator and mentor were assigned to me and I receive ongoing support," he says.

"The management and leadership skills I am gaining will be transferable to business should I decide to pursue a career in that direction at the end of my teaching stint."

Applications for the 2010 academic year have closed, but Masemola urges graduates and those who will be graduating next year and who are interested in becoming TEACH ambassadors to visit the TEACH SA website and the student notice boards at their respective universities for details of the 2011 intake.

How the TEACH process works

Application requirements - The majority of applicants are recent graduates who are looking for a stepping-stone in their professional development. However, applications are not limited to that age group. TEACH welcomes applicants of any age who have an undergraduate degree that will enable them to teach in the areas of maths, science, technology and English. Exceptional leadership skills and good academic performance are priorities.

Do I need to be a qualified teacher to apply? - Applicants do not need to hold an educator's diploma or degree. They must have a minimum of an undergraduate degree, which contains content that will enable them to teach in the areas of maths, science, technology or English. TEACH ambassadors will receive six weeks of intense teacher and leadership training prior to their placements. They will also receive ongoing support and training to ensure that they are effective facilitators of learning.

Full-time or part-time? - TEACH ambassadors work as full-time educators at schools.

Payment for community work? - TEACH ambassadors are paid by the Department of Education and receive the same salaries and health benefits as other newly qualified educators.

What subjects does an ambassador have to teach? - A TEACH ambassador must teach one of the following subjects: maths, science, technology and English.

Is teacher certification possible? - TEACH ambassadors are not automatically certified as teachers after their two years of teaching in the classroom is completed. TEACH South Africa is building relationships with local universities for TEACH ambassadors who would like to work towards earning a teaching certificate while teaching.

For more information on selection criteria, visit www.teachsouthafrica.org