By Akani Nkuna
Teachers’ union Sadtu will embark on national protest to the Treasury, and departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training in Pretoria next week against budget cuts.
“This mass action is in protest against the austerity measures that are undermining public service delivery – particularly in education – and threatening the constitutional right to equality in education, especially for children from poor and working class backgrounds,” Sadtu general secretary, Mugwena Maluleke said in statement on Wednesday.
The upcoming march aligns with the global call by Education International under the theme “Go Public! Fund Education”.
The union aims to spotlight the severe impact budget cuts are having on South Africa’s education system, affecting teachers, learners and communities.
Mugwena said overcrowding in schools was growing and thousands of posts had been left vacant.
He said the Western Cape had frozen over 2000 posts, while other provinces have failed to expand staffing to match increasing enrolment numbers.
“… schools do not receive their funding for norms and standards timeously, forcing principals to cover basic operational costs from their own pockets. Educators and learners are also facing growing safety concerns, with violence in schools on the rise,” Mugwena added.
“Yet little is being done to strengthen security or to provide adequate psychological support. The lack of investment in teacher wellbeing continues to strain and already overstretched workforce.”
A recent Satu survey reveals the harsh impact of budget cuts on education, including overcrowded classrooms, poor infrastructure and shortage of staff. Grade R practitioners face exploitative wages, while scholar transport payments lag.
The union blames these issues on the harmful neoliberal policies that it says must end.
INSIDE EDUCATION
