Image Source: Daily Dispatch
Western Cape – The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has strongly opposed the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) plan to cut over 2,000 teaching positions in the province. This significant reduction in teaching posts, set to take effect next year, is driven by budget constraints and insufficient funding to maintain current staffing levels.
Deputy Provincial Secretary of SADTU, Kenneth Williams, has suggested several alternatives to avoid these extensive job losses. He urged the WCED to reassess its budget allocations by cutting non-essential initiatives and programs and redirecting those funds to retain teaching positions.
The union also highlighted that millions spent on programs such as the Back on Track initiative, aimed at addressing learning losses from the pandemic and systemic testing, could be redirected to preserve teaching jobs and ensure the stability of the education system in the province.
“It’s painful for us for the mere fact that the department is discussing human resources. From our perspective, there was no need to cut educators, [and we gave] them the recommendations and alternatives. But they don’t want to look at our alternatives at the moment.”
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The Impact of the Teacher’s Cuts
SADTU, alongside other unions, stakeholders, and educators, has strongly criticised the WCED’s decision, warning that the job cuts will have significant and lasting effects on the education system.
With fewer teachers, those who remain will face a heavier workload. Larger class sizes are expected, making it more difficult for educators to provide students with the individual attention they need.
Williams warned that this situation could lead to increased behavioural problems in classrooms and negatively affect teacher morale. As teachers manage more students, maintaining the same standard of instruction may become a challenge, potentially impacting learning outcomes.
The added pressure of handling larger classes could also result in higher stress levels and eventual burnout as teachers struggle to meet increased demands while trying to maintain the quality of education.
“What’s going to happen when you’re cutting posts, especially in education? You will end up with bigger classes, disciplinary problems, teacher wellbeing issues, etc. We brought all those kinds of factors to the department, to the WCED, but it’s very clear they don’t want to change their mind.”
