WC Education Crisis Committee set for second protest over teacher job cuts

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Education Crisis Committee is set to demonstrate outside the education district offices on Monday.

The protest aims to ramp up efforts to prevent the provincial education department from cutting over 2,400 teacher jobs starting in January 2025.

Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier announced in August that these cuts were necessary due to a budget shortfall of R3.8 billion over the next three financial years.

The Education Crisis Committee, made up of teachers, unions, civil organisations, and community members, is urging the provincial government to reconsider its decision to let thousands of teachers go.

READ: Education Crisis Committee pickets over WC teacher job cuts, wants education prioritised in budget 

It will mark the second demonstration this month, following a picket two weeks ago. 

The committee has been holding public meetings to gather support against the impending job cuts. 

In response, provincial education department stated that reducing the number of teachers was currently the only way to keep operations running. 

Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has requested an urgent meeting with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana as provincial education departments scramble to address the budget shortfall.