Budget Justice Coalition concerned over imminent Basic Education budget cuts

JOHANNESBURG – The Budget Justice Coalition (BJC) has raised concern over impending budget cuts in the Department of Basic Education.

This follows reports that provincial Education Departments would see significant budgetary cuts.

The departments, countrywide, have been feeling the pinch after Gauteng announced it would cut school nutrition and transport budgets to save more than 3,000 teaching jobs.

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In the Western Cape, thousands of teacher posts have been frozen due to the budget shortfall.

BJC spokesperson Gillian Pillay says mobilising resources is important to ensure the government follows its mandate of providing quality basic education.

“Without further intervention, it is likely that these budget cuts will constrain resources in schools that are most underprivileged, underserved and marginalised.”