WC teachers' job cuts: Lobby group vows to fight tooth & nail to reverse stark reality
Moreover, the Western Cape High Court struck the case from the roll, saying the SAC created its urgency for the matter to be heard and failed to give reasons for delaying the application for five months.
Picture: Max Fisher via pexels
CAPE TOWN - Lobby group the Special Action Committee (SAC) says the struggle is not over to prevent more than 2,000 teachers from losing their jobs.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has cut 2,407 teaching posts in the province on Tuesday (31 December 2024).
The department cited a R3 billion budget cut from the national government - which was announced in August last year.
The SAC failed in a last-minute court bid to halt the process on Monday.
The attorney for the affected teachers, Vernon Seymour, said the court battle is not over.
"Part B is still before the court, and that will be heard later on, and that is whether the decision to terminate 2407 posts was lawful and rational."
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Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on members of Parliament to table a motion in the National Assembly to address the issue.
"What is even more troubling is the silence of the portfolio committee on Basic Education. As an oversight body, it is their responsibility to ensure that the department is held accountable for its actions and to protect the rights of learners."
Makaneta believes the process will significantly disrupt the education of thousands of learners - and further strain an already struggling education system.
Meanwhile, the WCED has welcomed a court ruling to proceed with cutting teacher posts.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond: "The application from the start contained factually incorrect and misleading claims, and we're obviously happy with the outcome of the court. They found that the urgency was self-created and a proper explanation for the delay was manifestly lacking. The court also ordered the applicant to pay our costs."
Moreover, the Western Cape High Court struck the case from the roll, saying the SAC created its urgency for the matter to be heard and failed to give reasons for delaying the application for five months.