Effective with the 1984-85 school year, the Department of Education shall establish guidelines and regulations to ensure that school districts recruit and hire staff in professional areas including, but not limited to, the employment of teachers, the employment of administrators, teachers’ aides, and other personnel needed to implement the provisions of the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984 on the basis of qualifications and merit. The Department shall further monitor the implementation of the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984 to ensure that minority educators and minority school districts receive equal and fair treatment under each program and each section of the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984.