Classes go on amid budget cuts

The start of the academic year has brought its challenges and adjustments for schools on the Atlantic seaboard, with budget cuts and teacher shortages taking centre stage.

At Schotsche Kloof Primary School in Bo-Kaap, Principal Fadiel Kamish is navigating these hurdles with over 490 pupils enrolled and two Grade 1 classes.

“Enrolment went well, and we are still receiving new learners every day, so nothing unusual there. The only change is that we no longer have a pre-primary class,” Mr Kamish said.

However, budget cuts have left a noticeable impact, according to Mr Kamish.

“We lost two teaching posts last year, and we can feel the strain. To fill the gap, we had to hire a teacher through the school governing body (SGB) funds, but this adds financial pressure because not all parents are able to pay school fees,” he said.

To address the financial shortfall the school plans to arrange fund-raisers this year.

“Running a school with limited finances is tough, but we’re committed to finding solutions,” he said.

Mahdie Samodien, the principal at Prestwich Primary School, echoed these concerns, highlighting overcrowded classrooms and staffing challenges.

“We’ve lost teachers which means some classes now have about 40 learners,” he said.

Mr Samodien also pointed out complications with the system through which teachers are employed.

“We have a head of department (HOD) who should have been placed elsewhere but remains here without any assigned duties. Two retired teachers’ posts remain unfilled and another example, I have reached out to 27 potential candidates for a Grade 4 position, no one is available to take it,” said Mr Samodien.

Prestwich serves close to 700 pupils but Mr Samodien says numbers are not confirmed.

“We’re still expecting more parents to bring their children next week. While our system shows these learners have accepted placements, they haven’t arrived yet. Some families may have chosen other schools, or they could be finalising transport arrangements,” he said.

He said the school’s numbers typically stabilise a week or two into the term.

“Many of our learners come from outside the precinct, so delays are not uncommon,” he said.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed the impact of budget cuts on teaching posts across the province.

Despite reductions, WCED Communications Director Bronagh Hammond says class sizes, with an average of 30 pupils at Prestwich and Schotsche Kloof primary schools, remain within manageable limits.

“This is well below our provincial average. But with any classroom, it is also dependent on the educator and how they manage their classroom, as well as the learners themselves in some instances. We have seen educators manage efficiently over 40 learners in a classroom,” said Ms Hammond.

She clarified that the WCED does not hire teachers selected by school governing bodies (SGBs).

“The WCED is not the employer and therefore we do not have reliable stats on how many SGB posts have been appointed as a result of the reduction in WCED posts. The decision to appoint additional teachers above the establishment of the school lies with the SGB. They would need to take into account the budget required and whether their budget can sustain the salary expenses,” she said.

“The WCED had ensured that our schools received the necessary norms and standards funding and other essentials such as stationery, furniture and equipment, so as to ensure continued functionality in schools. Schools have had six months to adjust timetables and prepare for the reduced number of posts. In most cases, schools lost one teacher, and have made the necessary plans to address this reduction.”

Ms Hammond underlined that the national government's decision is the cause of the budgetary restrictions.

“The decision by the national government to not fully fund the 2023 multi-year wage agreement has caused a fiscal emergency in all provincial education departments. This is why all provinces are working together through the Council of Education Ministers to approach the National Treasury with a clear picture of how devastating the decision not to fund the wage agreement has been for provincial education departments.”

Ms Hammond expressed faith in the commitment of the teachers in spite of these difficulties.

“We have a resilient and committed cohort of educators in this Province who daily put the needs of learners first. While the reduction in the number of posts have slightly increased class sizes, we have ensured that other commitments have remained, ensuring continued functionality in our schools,” she said.