A SOUTH Cheshire woman who taught in South Africa has been told she cannot work here, while desperate schools around the country are recruiting foreign teachers.
Mary Bevington, 32, of Ferndale Close, Weston worked as a teacher in South Africa for more than eight years.
Since moving back to Britain she has been unable to get a post because her South African qualifications are not recognised within the EC.
She said: 'I was astounded when they told me I would have to retrain.
'At the moment there is a lot of publicity about teacher shortages. You would think they would be calling out for people like me who have a lot to give.
'It is so frustrating to love a job so much and not be able to do it. I have no other option than to retrain.'
Mary trained for four years in South Africa, gaining a higher diploma in education before joining a primary school in Johannesburg where she became subject controller for science and technology.
Technically she can work in Britain as an unqualified teacher but she would then be paid around £8,000 less than trained staff.
She said: 'To work in such a way would be a kick in the teeth. I refuse to do it because I am qualified.'
Mary now has to take a lesser post as a teaching assistant while she undertakes a British qualification at Manchester Metropolitan University.
'What is even more frustrating is that I get no funding for this and have to pay for everything myself,' she said.
A Department of Education and Skills spokesman confirmed teaching qualifications from within the EC are recognised but those from outside are not.
He added: 'Individual schools can hire people from outside, with the right skills and experience, on a work permit for a maximum of four years.'
