GEORGE NEWS - We are not losing teachers, but reducing the basket of posts by 2 407 posts. So said Western Cape Minister David Maynier during a second reading debate on the 2024/2025 adjustment budget in parliament on Tuesday 3 December.
Maynier gave a short overview of all the manoeuvres done by the Western Cape Education Department in its quest to close the gap and balance the budget when funds are tighter than ever.
He also referred to the amount of R600m that was "unearmarked" by Provincial Treasury to provide some freedom of movement within the department, to deal with the growth pressure in the 2025 year.
These funds are allocated to infrastructure projects such as new schools, replacement schools and additional classrooms.
When the availability of the R600m was announced last Tuesday, 26 November, some posed the question why these funds can't be utilised for much-needed teaching posts.
In his speech this week, Maynier made it clear that the department is facing an uphill battle to make ends meet, and is barely breaking even.
Utilising funds allocated for infrastructure for anything else than what it was meant for, would mean that certain building projects would be put on ice.
The full R600m is already allocated to infrastructure projects. "These projects are already underway, and it is vital that they be delivered, so using this facility will be an absolute last resort," he said.
"Now, the challenge going forward is providing the infrastructure, teaching posts and school resources needed for the 2025 school year, given the expected increase in learner numbers.
"We are going to have to make some tough choices, and are currently considering all of our options so that we can provide classrooms, and so that we can appoint teachers to deal with the increase in learner numbers. This is the challenge that we are now focused on."
On a question about the teacher-learner ratio, Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson to Maynier, said the current ratio is 1:34.2, and next year it is projected to be 1:36.7.
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