The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) insists that strike action will not change the fact that it is facing a R3,8 billion budget shortfall.  Last week, the Department notified schools that it would eliminate 2 400 teaching positions by the end of this academic year.

The controversial move has ruffled the feathers of educators, unions, and those still studying to teach. Unions are challenging the decision and have lodged disputes. The WCED said it wants unions to work with it and not against it, as the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) plans to take to the streets amid the decrease in teaching posts.

SADTU Western Cape survey on the impact of the declaration of the educator staff establishments for 2025. https://t.co/8eQjlP53Bs

— SADTU Western Cape (@sadtuwc) September 2, 2024

READ MORE: 2047 teaching positions to be eliminated by WCED in 2025

The department maintains that it was not a decision that was taken lightly.

“Striking will not change the fact that we are being short-changed by the national government, which only provided 64% of the cost of the wage agreement negotiated nationally with unions, leaving the province to fund the remaining 36%. Even if we cut all the programmes suggested by the teachers’ unions, we would not come anywhere close to dealing with the massive R3.8 billion budget shortfall,” said Maynier.