Basic education committee 'extremely concerned' about impact budget cuts will have on school year

CAPE TOWN - Parliament's basic education portfolio committee said it was extremely concerned about the impact budget cuts would have on the new school year.

Chairperson, Joy Maimela, said that provincial departments had already indicated that the budget cuts would affect them, with thousands of teacher posts on the line.

Maimela also touched on the contentious BELA Act, saying it must be implemented fully, adding that parties must comply.

Maimela was addressing a social cluster briefing in Parliament on Thursday, where she detailed the committee's focus for the year.

"The committee is extremely concerned about the budget cuts and their impact on what happens in the classroom. Several provincial education departments have indicated that the cuts  will affect them. The Western Cape Education Department has, for example announced, a reduction of 2,400 teaching posts. Other provinces are grappling with similar budget deficits."