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Minister provides update on national crisis

Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department, which is facing budget cuts, should receive a larger share of the national budget, ensuring that there are enough teachers, quality infrastructure, and adequate resources for every learner.

Gwarube held a briefing on Wednesday, to provide an update on the crisis.

BASIC EDUCATION MINISTER PROVIDES UPDATE ON BUDGET CUTS

In August, the Western Cape Education Department said it faces a R3.8 billion budget shortfall over the next three years. Consequently, 2 407 educator posts will be cut effective from January 2025. Ground Up reported.

During the briefing, Gwarube confirmed that unfortunately, other provinces throughout the country are in a similar position with many desperately working to find ways of avoiding having to top slice budgets for key services like textbooks, admin support and scholar transport programmes.

Gwarube said they are faced with a pending national crisis, one that affects not just learners but teachers, principals, and broader communities.

The former Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip said it is crucial to understand that this crisis is not
confined to one province or one aspect of the education sector.

“Every province is grappling with these painful choices. Provincial education departments will in the next two to three years find it increasingly difficult to fund their existing basket of posts and existing programmes within the available budget, unless measures are taken proactively to mitigate this risk,” she said.

For instance:

  • In the 2025/2026 Financial Year, four provincial departments will battle to cover their budgets.
  • For the 2026/2027 Financial Year, five provinces will battle to cover their budgets.
  • Lastly, in the 2027/2028 Financial Year, seven out nine provinces will not be able to
    afford their budgets.

FINANCE MINISTER ROPED IN

Gwarube also acknowledged that government has not made the right choices at the right time – which has resulted in the current situation.

Further, Gwarube said government spending priorities need re – alignment as R331 billion was spent bailing out state-owned enterprises between 2013 and 2023.

“This figure is staggering, especially when you consider the opportunity cost. R331 billion
could have been directed to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic infrastructure development. Instead, it has been funnelled into SOEs that continue to underperform, dragging down our economy and draining public resources,” she said.

The minister also confirmed that she has requested an urgent meeting with finance minister Enoch Godongwana to discuss the matter further.

“I am grateful to minister Godongwana for his cooperation and support on this important
matter. We are also appreciative of Treasury’s willingness to engage with the Education sector. Ultimately a solution must be found in order for us to protect front line services,” Gwarube added.

DO YOU THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION WILL GET A BIGGER SLICE OF THE PIE IN NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR’S BUDGET?

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