Education is one of the most important sectors anywhere in the world, however, budget cuts, allegedly at the hands of the South African Treasury seems to be dimming the light for many.
Last week, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) revealed it would be cutting over 2,400 teaching jobs in the province and this due to budget constraints.
This has caused an uproar not only in the education sector but with all organisations and civilians at large as this, in turn, has a domino effect in other sectors.
The job cuts come into effect January 1, 2025.
“We are in this position because we are being short-changed by the national government, receiving only 64% of the cost of the nationally negotiated wage agreement, leaving the province to fund the remaining 36%,” Western Cape MEC David Maynier said.
“Despite implementing a drastic R2.5 billion budget cut, including on administration, curriculum and infrastructure, we still face a R3.8 billion budget shortfall over the next three years. We are in an impossible position, and it is not of our making. And the Western Cape is not the only province affected.”
He said the decision by the national government to not fully fund the 2023 wage agreement has caused a fiscal crisis for education departments across the country.
All education departments from provinces across the country presented presentations to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in the National Assembly.
During this presentation, the provincial education departments presented their annual reports as well as the challenges they faced.
KwaZulu-Natal have indicated they cannot afford 11,092 teaching posts and they have a budget shortfall of R4 billion for 2024.
Mpumalanga has to resolve R876 million, while the North West has to find R485 million.
The Eastern Cape's budget has declined drastically in 2024/25 by 22.6% to over R3.5 billion from a revised estimate of over R4.6 billion in 2023/24, mainly due to budget cuts for fiscal consolidation.
The Northern Cape said its schools will have to consider cost-saving mechanisms and it will have to engage municipalities to solve the escalating municipal billing. It also says it has to look into alternative power and water supply.
It further said limited funding and budget cuts hinder the timely implementation of infrastructure projects, leading to delays in providing safe and conducive learning environments for students and teachers.
The Gauteng department has said although it is working tirelessly to contain spending within the current ceilings, there will be budget pressures particularly in scholar transport, school furniture, school nutrition, infrastructure, personnel, subsidies, etc. resulting from the normal system growth.
The economic climate experienced by the country also increases demand for government services. There will also no funding for further expansion of early childhood development.
Speaking to IOL, a concerned parent, Taryn Hearne said these budget cuts will inevitably affect her children’s school. Next year, her children will be in Grade 7 and matric, two vitally important schooling years.
“As a parent, I feel deeply concerned about the potential impact on my children's education. The loss of so many teaching jobs could lead to larger class sizes and less individual attention for each student, which might affect the quality of education,” Hearne said.
“I believe this will put more pressure on children academically. With fewer teachers, students may not receive the necessary support and guidance, leading to increased stress and difficulty in keeping up with their studies.”
She said the budget cuts will lower the standard of education children receive across the country.
“The reduction in teaching staff is likely to lower the standard of education. Larger class sizes and overworked teachers can result in less effective teaching and learning, which could negatively impact learners’ academic performance. My biggest concern is the long-term impact on the quality of education. Budget cuts could lead to overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and a decline in educational standards, particularly in poorer communities that rely heavily on public education,” Hearne said.
Professor Mbulungeni Madiba, the Dean of Education at Stellenbosch University (SU) said the 2,407 teaching posts cut is deeply concerning.
However, he believed this decision by the WCED has been rushed.
“It appears that this decision was rushed and driven primarily by budgetary constraints, without sufficient due diligence or consultation,” Madiba said.
“The lack of clear and transparent selection criteria for which teachers will be cut adds to the uncertainty and may result in the loss of young educators with critical skills necessary for 21st-century education.”
He said the reduction in teaching posts is likely to increase class sizes, putting additional pressure on remaining educators and potentially diminishing the quality of education.
“The ripple effects of such a decision may extend beyond the Western Cape, as other provinces facing similar budget constraints might consider similar cuts. Learners are likely to be the most affected by these cuts,” said Madiba.
“The cuts will obviously lead to overcrowded classrooms, and this will affect their academic performance, increase stress, and reduce engagement among learners.”
Madiba has also explained what effect this will have on the standard of education.
“The reduction in teaching staff could severely impact the standard of education in the province and the country. The country already faces significant challenges in education quality, and losing a substantial number of teachers could exacerbate the situation,” he said.
“Current educators may face increased workloads, leading to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and potentially higher resignation rates among experienced teachers,” said Madiba.
“The job cuts will also damage the reputation of the profession and deter new graduates from entering the education sector.”
He said research is already showing that South Africa is not producing enough educators for its growing population.
Currently, the country is producing about 28,000 teachers per year, and if this number is not increased, there will be a shortage of 50,000 by 2030 in the system.
“The decision to cut teaching posts in the Western Cape is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the education system, especially if extended to other provinces,” Madiba said.
“Proper planning, transparent processes, and alternative budgetary solutions should be considered to avoid compromising the quality of education for learners and the future of the teaching profession in South Africa.”
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL