Education department’s budget crisis deepens

Officials warn of catastrophic consequences as funding runs out

- THAMI MAGUBANE

THE financial crisis in the Department of Education continues to deepen, with the department revealing that the situation has become so dire that it could not afford to clean its own toilets.

The poor working conditions in the department’ offices have caused staff to either be unwilling to come to the office or to leave at midday.

The department expects to run out of money next month and is already spending the budget for the next financial year. Officials have stated that the only solution going forward would be for the department to receive a major cash injection.

Department officials briefed the members of the Education Portfolio Committee this week, laying out the crises that have resulted from the budget cuts. Committee members said it was clear the department is on the brink of a catastrophe. It was revealed that there are close to 9 000 posts that cannot be filled, and the department is expected to lose another R11 billion in the next two years due to the budget cuts.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the department, Yali Joyi, described the situation as “critical”.