Tensions rise as WC government responds to teacher cuts

Amid ongoing tensions between civic organisations, unions and the Western Cape government over teacher cuts in the budget speech, yesterday, Finance MEC Deidre Baartman acknowledged that overcrowded classrooms had become a growing concern.

- NICOLA DANIELS

Baartman announced R500 million was allocated to the education department over three years. The Western Cape communities have been under fire after it announced that it would not renew the contracts of 2607 teachers by the end of the year.

In her budget speech yesterday, Baartman said: “Our schools are witnessing an unprecedented increase in learner enrolment, which has resulted in overcrowded classrooms and a decrease in the learner-teacher ratio. This rapid increase in number requires us to step up to provide infrastructure enhancements in the education space and an increased need to fund the employment of teachers.”