By Johnathan Paoli
The budget crisis in the education sector will not culminate in teachers losing their jobs, but rather on a reduction of posts going ahead, according to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
Gwarube was providing an update on the provincial analysis of the impact of the budget cuts in the education sector to the media in Tshwane.
The minister highlighted the growing financial pressures faced by provincial education departments across the country, emphasising that recent budget cuts were jeopardising the quality of education for millions of learners.
She revealed that over the past five years, the number of learners in the education system has increased by approximately 292,820, while there were fewer teachers.
“We are on a path where most provincial education departments will not be able to maintain their respective basket of posts,” she warned.
However, she stressed the importance of distinguishing between a reduction of the basket of posts and cutting jobs, and wished to prevent mass panic based on inaccurate information.
The minister said a budget shortfall of between R70 billion and R118 billion was expected over the next three years, which was not limited to just teacher provisioning, but across the board.
Gwarube pointed out that these financial strains were the culmination of years of aggressive budget reductions, economic stagnation and fiscal mismanagement.
“These budget pressures are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They translate into fewer teachers, reduced textbooks and diminished administrative support staff. The very fabric of our children’s future is under threat,” she said.
The minister attributed the crisis to a combination of stagnant economic growth and misaligned government spending priorities, including substantial bailouts to state-owned enterprises that have drained public resources.
She highlighted that nearly 35% of government spending now went to public sector salaries, leaving little room for investment in critical sectors like education.
In response to the mounting crisis, Gwarube convened meetings with the Council of Education Ministers to analyse budget challenges and engage with the Treasury.
In addition, the minister confirmed that she had requested an urgent “10×10” meeting with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the nine finance MECs and the nine education MECs to discuss strategies for alleviating the financial burdens faced by the education sector.
“We must work together with all 10 treasuries to unlock additional funds to alleviate the pressures facing the education sector, even if it is for the short term, and to prevent further cuts to teaching posts and critical support services like school
nutrition and transport,” she said.
The minister called for a renewed commitment to prioritise education, emphasising that it was not merely an expense, but an investment in the country’s future.
She specifically called for a cross-departmental reprioritisation of budgets from departments that have under-performing programmes, ensuring that funding across government was directed to appropriate national priorities.
“A well-educated population is essential for a prosperous, competitive economy,” the minister said.
Her long-term vision includes increased investment in education, teacher development, the integration of technology in classrooms and appropriate investment in infrastructure.
Gwarube expressed her gratitude to the education MECs and other stakeholders for their tireless efforts in navigating these challenges.
“While we face significant obstacles, these are not insurmountable,” she said.
The deadline of declaring posts is looming.
Only the Western Cape, the Free State and Mpumalanga, have declared available posts, with the other provinces expected to finalise by the end of the month.
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