The Western Cape government’s decision to cut 2,407 teacher posts was debated in the provincial legislature on Thursday. Photo: Tori Newby
By Tori Newby originally posted on GroundUp
IN SUMMARY:
Western Cape government announced it will cut 2,407 teacher posts starting in January 2025. Provincial Parliament held a debate on the issue, led by the GOOD party.
Brett Heron, MPL and Secretary-General of GOOD party: c alled for the debate.
- Suggested the government could make “better choices” and save the teacher posts by cutting from other areas.
- Proposed reducing the R5-billion budget for safety projects or the R21.8-billion allocated for governance innovation instead.
David Maynier, MEC for Education:
- Defended the teacher post cuts as a “last resort”, caused by a R1.1-billion shortfall in national funding.
- Explained that the province received only 64% of the cost from a wage agreement negotiated with teachers’ unions in 2023.
Premier Alan Winde:
- Blamed the budget shortfall on the ANC’s “mismanagement” of the national budget, which had spent R500-billion on bailouts for state-owned enterprises.
- Stated: “We want our fair budget, so that we can employ more teachers, not less.”
Khalid Sayed, ANC opposition leader:
- Disagreed, attributing the teacher post cuts to how the province allocates its funds.
- Argued: “While we understand the need to try and balance the books, this cannot come at the expense of our children, our economy, and South Africa’s future.”
- Highlighted that only 37% of the provincial budget goes to education, compared to the national average of 41%.
- Pointed out that 72% of the provincial education budget is allocated to staff compensation, below the national average of 76%.
- Mentioned overcrowded classrooms, some with up to 60 learners, will worsen with the teacher cuts.
David Maynier, MEC for Education: Defended the government again, stating that education receives the largest portion of the budget and that R6.3-billion had been added to the education budget in the past three years.
