Education crisis looming

State urged to spare sector and not violate kids’ rights, jeopardise jobs.

- Eric Naki

With Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube having painted a bleak picture a pending education crisis due to massive budget cuts, civil society groups have called for government not to touch education as that would violate the right to education by children and jeopardise teachers' jobs.

The civil society-based Budget Justice Coalition (BJC) expressed concern about impending budget cuts to basic education announced by Gwarube, who raised alarm about a looming budget crisis due to a whopping R79 billion to R118 billion shortfall over the next three years.

The minister described the situation, if not addressed, as likely being catastrophic.

Gwarube last week said in the next two to three years her department might see a budget crunch due to teacher and other posts that had not been filled in all provinces.

Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have already reported that they wouldn't be able to fill vacant posts due to lack of funds.

The Western Cape education department recently said 2 400 teaching posts would not be filled next year due to a R3.8 billion budget shortfall over the next three years.