The Parliamentary Committee On Education, Sciences and Creative Industries called on the National Treasury to ensure that the government-wide budget cuts do not affect the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) programmes.
Committee Chairperson Makhi Feni stressed the importance of ensuring DBE programmes, especially at township schools, are protected despite budget cuts.
All poor learners from townships and rural schools depend on these programmes. We cannot afford to function on anticipation of funds being shifted or on virements and variations. That is not healthy. The National Treasury must intervene now rather than later.
Earlier this year, Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube assured parliament that no teaching posts will be cut in 2024.
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.
Feni further argued that not employing teachers in the upcoming financial years could suffocate the sector.
The committee believes retrenching or not employing new teachers suffocates the sector. The security of schools from extortionists and the safety of children and principals are also issues that should be resolved. All of these require adequate funding.
Feni said it was unfortunate that the narrative has become about the impact of budget cuts, and not how to enhance what DBE is doing and will do.
"This department is challenged with absorbing the Early Childhood Development children as the function had just been transferred to DBE. Apart from that, we are yet to resolve matters of sanitation, safety and curriculum provision needs. The sector requires funding."
