More than 3,000 teacher posts at risk in Gauteng amid R4.5 billion budget cut

The Gauteng Education Department has committed to finding alternative ways to mitigate the impact of a R4.5 billion budget cut to its operations.

On Sunday, provincial education MEC Matome Chiloane revealed that for his department to survive the recent reduction, over 3,000 teacher posts were at risk.

Chiloane, however, said this is an unreasonable expectation, considering the province’s rapidly growing population.

The MEC said the department has been working tirelessly to find means to secure public-school teachers’ jobs, while also functioning optimally with a smaller fiscal budget.

“Look, all provinces are affected, we’re looking at around 3,400 teachers. Unfortunately, there will be a cut in certain programmes, scholar transport, and school nutrition, LTSM we are cutting everywhere to ensure that we keep all our school educators.”

Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called for teachers’ jobs to be protected to improve the quality of education.

In August, the Western Cape’s Education Department also revealed its plans to cut over 2,400, due to its R3.8 billion budget shortfall.

The Minister said she had met with unions to share progress in dealing with the effects of the provincial departments’ budget cuts, implemented by the national Treasury.

Western Cape and Gauteng province are, so far, the only provinces that have raised concerns over the looming budget reduction in the upcoming financial year.

Speaking through social media platform X on Sunday, Gwarube appealed for funding to protect the education sector.

“While this is a matter that is sitting directly with Treasury, we as a department of Basic Education cannot sit back while frontline services are being affected, because of course, this will affect the quality of education.”

Gwarube added that she would be meeting with the Treasury this week to address the funding issues facing her department.

-EWN

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