Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has assured parliament that no teaching posts will be cut in 2024.
Gwarube led a strong departmental delegation to Parliament to brief the Committee on Education, Sciences, and Creative Industries, on budget cuts and their impact on teacher employment.
The Minister's briefing to parliament took place 100 days after the Government of National Unity was formed. The Minister said the briefing also coincided with the release of five prominent political prisoners including Walter Sisulu, Elias Motsoaledi, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba and Ahmed Kathrada.
These are sacrifices that give us, as a nation, character, which we want reflected in the quality education system we have.
Minister Gwarube emphasised the importance of protecting the livelihoods of teachers and by extension the future of children.
The cutting of teacher posts had the committee worried and we cannot afford to be shedding educator jobs now. There will always be contradictions in living and experiencing the world, but we cannot risk the future of our children and the livelihoods of our educators,
Minister Gwarube acknowledged that while budget cuts are affecting all government departments, the Basic Education Department is working closely with National Treasury to mitigate the impact on frontline services, including teaching.
She reiterated her department’s commitment to protecting education jobs, adding that although retrenchments will be avoided in 2025, teacher numbers will remain unchanged due to budgetary constraints.
Select Committee on Education, Sciences, and Creative Industries Chairperson Makhi Feni welcomed the assurance that no teaching posts will be cut in 2025.
We are encouraged by the Minister’s statements, which give us confidence as we move forward with our oversight responsibilities. It’s clear that significant efforts are being made to prevent any negative consequences for education.
Feni said they were relieved at the department’s commitment to maintaining teacher jobs, which they believe will ensure stability within the education sector and safeguard the quality of education in South Africa.
