The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is currently facing two major challenges that are working to be curbed. One challenge is the race between increasing the salaries of South Africa's educators but not exceeding the budget that is allocated to the DBE.
The dilemma was recently brought up at a Parliamentary Committee Meeting last week, when one member asked the Minister of Basic Education what measures have been taken to address the employment of fewer graduates in order to the curb the speed at which educator salaries are increasing at a rate faster than the Department's budget can maintain.
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, responded stating that salaries and potential increases of those salaries are budgeted for by the National Treasury, as well as the Public Sector Coordination Bargaining Council (PSCBC), with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) leading the negotiations on behalf of government.
"Therefore, the teachers get salary increases as part of the rest of the public service. Budgeting for salary increases and other improvements in conditions of service is also centralised allocated at National Treasury to departments and entities. The process to increase the number of posts in schools is informed by a number of factors; chief amongst them being the increase in the number of learners and introduction of curriculum reforms that require additional teachers," elaborated the Minister.
In May 2021, an 8.3% salary increase was demanded by educators, who were of the belief that government were not paying them what they deserved.
At the time, government had said that salary increases were not affordable, but as teachers say, they are spending money on other less important things without consulting anyone.
With the cost of living getting higher and higher each year and with a pandemic which has resulted in a high number of job losses, calls for increases are no surprise.
In an effort to address challenges within the education system, government is expected to spend around R1.4 trillion over the next three years for both higher and basic education on learning and culture, as announced during last week's annual Budget Speech.
Motshekga also revealed that the DBE has approached Cabinet, requesting support in order to "add about 16 000 educator posts in schools focusing on the reduction of teacher-learner ratios, both in public ordinary schools and special schools; and address additional needs due to curriculum reforms."
Cabinet has since referred the request to the Minister’s Committee on the Budget (MINCOMBUD) for processing.
