Jobless teachers plead with Godongwana not to cut education budget

Gwarube said in the Western Cape, there was already a “painful decision” to reduce the basket of teaching posts for 2025.

This, she said, was a move that would result in fewer educators in classrooms.

On Wednesday, Moepi said as a graduate he was hoping that he would be employed but with the budget cuts he was not hopeful.

“Learners need us and a lot of schools don’t have enough teachers, but there are more learners there. So, it doesn’t make sense. Treasury can cut the budget for other departments, but education is not one of them,” he said.

Another qualified teacher from Venda in Limpopo said she has been looking for a job since the beginning of the year with no luck.

“I am constantly applying but sometimes I can’t even send applications because I don’t have money for transport … that is how being unemployed has been affecting me,” said the 28-year-old woman who preferred to remain anonymous. 

“So, if the minister says there is no budget cuts, that will mean posts are not frozen. Then unemployed teachers will be able to get jobs.  If I get a job as a teacher, then it will be good for me and my family. I hope the minister prioritises basic education.

“It is depressing being unemployed … so it would be great for the department to get the money it needs to that unemployed teachers have better chances of being hired.”

SowetanLIVE