Amid the threat of 2 407 teacher job cuts in the Western Cape, the GOOD Party has hailed the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s decision to hold an urgent debate, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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According to IOL, GOOD Party Secretary-General and Western Cape Provincial Parliament member Brett Herron announced that the urgent debate, scheduled for 12 September 2024, follows the party’s formal request to address the looming teacher job cuts.
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The GOOD Party issued a press release on Monday, shared by Herron on Facebook, emphasising the urgency of initiating the debate.
‘The government’s notice to school principals and governing bodies of the proposed job cuts has led to widespread concern about the impact of this decision on the right of teachers to job security, and of all South Africans to a quality education system.’
‘Unsurprisingly, this regressive step will have a disproportionate impact on school communities in less affluent areas, which will bear the brunt of the teacher losses as their parent bodies won’t be able to afford the costs to replace them,’ Herron said.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) attributed the job cuts to budget constraints, sparking outrage across the education sector and beyond, with concerns of a domino effect on other industries.
The cuts will take effect on 1 January 2025.
Later on Monday evening, Herron announced that the Western Cape Provincial Parliament Speaker had approved the request for a debate of public importance regarding plans to reduce the number of teaching posts in the Western Cape.
On Thursday, the political decision to defund education while funding non-core projects will be scrutinised.
‘The Province has assigned Billions of Rands to non-core functions over the next three years, including to innovation and safety.’
‘A relatively small portion of this money would ensure no teachers’ jobs need be lost.’
‘It is unfair to ask teachers to sacrifice their careers at the altar of a political fight that this Government is cruelly orchestrating.’
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Picture: Gallo