Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane has pledged to secure public schools teachers jobs of about 3,400 across the province by cutting educational programmes, due to budget cuts
(The Post News)- Gauteng’s Education MEC Matome Chiloane has announced plans to slash vital school programs, including transportation and feeding schemes, to save the jobs of 3,400 teachers amid a staggering R4.5 billion budget deficit.
Critics are questioning the decision, asking whether saving teacher jobs at the expense of essential student services is the right call.Will this move jeopardise the well-being and education of Gauteng’s most vulnerable learners?
Chiloane defends the decision, citing the province’s growing student population and the need to maintain manageable classroom sizes. “We can’t employ educators and then have over 100 learners per teacher,” he said.
The Gauteng Department of Education will trim various programs to accommodate the budget cuts. This includes reducing school transportation, school nutrition programs, and learning and teaching support materials. Other educational programs will also face cuts.
Chiloane argued that the department is exploring alternative solutions to secure school teachers’ posts.In contrast, the Western Cape Department of Education has taken a different stance, opting not to fill 2,400 teacher posts due to budget constraints.
MEC David Maynier blames national government funding shortfalls, stating that the province receives only 64% of the cost of the nationally negotiated wage agreement, leaving the province to fund the remaining 36%.
As provinces struggle to balance budgets, educators and students are caught in the crossfire. Is this a symptom of a broader crisis in South Africa’s education system? The move raises questions about the national government’s role in addressing funding shortfalls and ensuring quality education for all.
MEC David also stated that “Although we’ve made severe budget reductions of R2.5 billion, affecting administration, curriculum, and infrastructure, we still face a massive R3.8 billion funding gap over the next three years. This is an unsustainable situation, and it’s not our fault. Moreover, we’re not the only province struggling with this issue.”
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