2407 teaching jobs cut in Western Cape: 'Kids at poorer schools will suffer most'

Lester Kiewit speaks to Professor Jonathan Jansen, Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University.

Listen below.

2407 teaching positions in the Western Cape will be eliminated from 1 January 2025.

Class sizes will increase, resulting in a 1:44 student-to-teacher ratio.

While more affluent schools may have a contingency plan, Jansen says poorer schools will be worst affected.

"That is why it is misleading to simply call this fiscal stability... this is not about fiscal stability, this is about social injustice."

- Professor Jonathan Jansen, Stellenbosch University

"It is patently unjust to have the middle-class schools land on their feet, partly because of reserves that they might have and partly because of the ability to spike the school fees."

- Professor Jonathan Jansen, Stellenbosch University

Jansen argues the money is there for 2407 teachers.

"Come on, this is a small number, right? Even if it is a recurrent spend, this is something a country like South Africa can afford."

- Professor Jonathan Jansen, Stellenbosch University

The Western Cape Education Department received only 64% of the funding needed for the public sector wage agreement, with the remaining 36% covered by provincial funds.

It has left a budget shortfall of R3.8 billion over the next three years.

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

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