The Western Cape education department also recently announced it would not be filling 2,400 posts due to similar budget constraints, effective January 2025.
Dos Santos said there were serious implications involved in reducing funding for school feeding schemes.
“For many learners, the meals provided at school are their only source of nutrition for the day.”
He expressed concern over the existing issues within the school nutrition programme, which has faced irregular deliveries and poor-quality food due to a botched tender.
“Cutting these schemes will worsen food insecurity and malnutrition among learners coming from disadvantaged homes,” he added.
In light of these developments, the DA is calling on the National Treasury to intervene and halt budget cuts.
“The state freeze the pay of public employees, notably managers and administrators. This measure would help to protect the salaries of essential teaching workers,” said Dos Santos.
He emphasised the importance of prioritising the needs of pupils.
“The [Gauteng department of education] must ensure that budget cuts do not affect the most vulnerable learners in our education system. Cutting essential services like school transport and feeding schemes is a short-term solution that will have long-lasting negative consequences for the education of our learners.”
TimesLIVE
Modiegi Mashamaite
www.timeslive.co.za
