Due to national budget cuts, numerous teachers are facing unemployment in the Western Cape, leading to significant repercussions for students as the second term of the academic year commenced on Wednesday.
This situation has triggered panic among educators in the region, who have received notices informing them of the termination of their employment.
Also read: City’s budget allocates billions to informal settlements and housing
In Atlantis, schools have taken the step of informing parents about the reduction in teaching staff. For instance, contracts for six teachers were terminated at Proteus Technical High School, while Avondale Primary and Wesfleur Primary School each saw the departure of two and three teachers respectively. Consequently, students are now compelled to attend school on alternate days.
Expressing her concerns, Taryn Hearne, a mother of a Grade 11 student at Proteus, expressed concern regarding her daughter’s education in an interview with IOL.
‘I am deeply saddened at this fact as my child is directly affected by this. Her schooling schedule has been shortened and it worries me as this is a critical year for her.
‘This will be putting more stress on my child as well as me as a parent for her to maintain her grades. I want the government to resolve this as soon as possible,’ Hearne explained.
Leitita Stubbs-Jordaan, a parent of twin daughters at Avondale Primary, voiced serious concern over the termination of teachers, particularly its direct impact on the country’s future. With classrooms already overcrowded and teachers burdened with heavy workloads, Stubbs-Jordaan worries about students receiving adequate attention during lessons.
The spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Bronagh Hammond, attributed the teacher terminations to major budget cuts announced by the national government in 2023. Hammond explained that approximately 3,100 contract positions were converted to permanent ones as a cost-saving measure.
Special vacancy lists were provided to schools to facilitate timely appointments to fill vacant posts before 1 April. Urging School Governing Bodies to prioritise recruitment, the department streamlined administrative procedures to expedite hiring.
Hammond reassured that many schools had complied with these measures by 31 March. To support schools further, the WCED is facilitating conversion processes, regularly advertising vacancy lists, expediting recruitment, and extending contracts of educators in vacant posts until 31 December 2024.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
Also read:
Shoplifters caught on camera steal goods worth R10k at Cape mall
Picture: RDNE Stock project / Pexels