2,407 teacher posts to be cut in Western Cape: 'Nothing short of a crisis!'

Lester Kiewit interviews Basil Manuel of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa).

Listen below.

In a recent circular to principals, educators, and school-based staff, the Western Cape Education Department has announced a significant budget shortfall of R3.8 billion over the next three years.

Consequently, 2,407 teaching positions will be eliminated from 1 January 2025.

Brent Walters, the WCED’s head of education, explained that the department received only 64% of the funding needed for the public sector wage agreement, with the remaining 36% covered by provincial funds.

"This is nothing short of a crisis."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director – National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa

Manuel argues that this decision does not serve the best interests of children, teachers, or the education system.

He notes that the increased class size will result in a 1:44  student-to-teacher ratio, meaning each child will receive less individual attention and teachers will face greater challenges to manage their classrooms effectively.

"There are places to cut, but we cannot accept that schooling will be punished in this fashion."

- Basil Manuel, Executive Director – National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.