GEORGE NEWS - The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has a plan to make "even more" cuts in its budget to ensure that it can deal with the increase in learner numbers in 2025.

According to WCED communication officer Millicent Merton, this is how the department aims to make up to 477 teaching growth posts available to accommodate the extra learners in the province's schools.

She responded to the complaint of a concerned George parent about her Grade 8 child at Heatherlands High being placed in a class of more than 60 learners, where apparently not enough desks were available at the start of the school year. 

Merton said the average class size at this school is about 40 learners, but it has applied for growth posts. "The application is under consideration. At the start of every school year, there is a need to allow for the school to settle, to confirm learner numbers and any additional needs of the school. This is normal practice."

She said the additional growth posts will be for the department's brand-new schools that need staff, and also schools where a large number of additional learners have been enrolled.

"The distribution of these posts is still to be determined as we are being informed by the 10-day snap survey figures which will indicate where there is growth. These figures are being collated and verified currently."

Provision for Grades 1 and 8

The department has identified a need to prioritise infrastructure for Grades 1 and 8 in the province, particularly in high-demand areas, which are predominantly coastal circuits.

The department is also exploring the opening of additional classes for Grade R as all registered Grade R classes are filled to capacity, while a number of Grade R learners remain in independent facilities.

Consistent growth in Eden

Merton said growth in the Eden and Central Karoo has been consistent over the past years. Final figures for 2025 will only be determined once the snap survey figures have been verified.

"All timeous and late applications up till 31 December 2024 were placed appropriately. "We still have a few late applications, but we are in the process of placing them as they apply."

Although the district has the capacity to place all learners, accommodating personal preferences remains a significant challenge.

Ratios in the district (where about 70 retiring and contract teachers were lost as a result of national budget cuts) were adjusted to ensure a fair allocation of posts.

WCED communications officer Millicent Merton.

She gave the assurance that every class in the system has an assigned teacher.

The WCED has a systems ratio of teacher to learners of 1:37.6 across all districts, but there may be differences in class sizes that are based on a variety of factors, including increased growth, subject choices, language, and the appointment of additional school governing body staff.

Merton said addressing overcrowded classrooms remains a priority for the WCED.

"The downscaling of the number of subjects offered by certain schools is but one solution. Schools in close proximity work together to ensure that all subjects are offered across a particular geographical spread."

Teachers teach according to the Personnel Administrative Measures (Pam) for educators, a formula issued by the Department of Basic Education that determines how the total number of teaching posts is divided between schools. 

"The formula takes into account class sizes, the workload of teachers, the size of the school, language, curriculum, poverty, and other factors."

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