Gauteng DA calls on provincial education Dept to prioritise wellbeing of pupils and teachers

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has called on the provincial education department to prioritise both learner and teacher wellbeing.

This follows the department's decision to reduce funding for food nutrition and transport schemes, saying it would save it approximately R4.5 billion.

The education department's budget has been slashed, affecting scholar transport and the nutrition programmes.

The DA said that cutting these critical services would prevent students from attending school regularly and receiving food.

"As the Democratic Alliance, we continue to emphasise the need to prioritise the needs of vulnerable learners and suggest freezing the salaries of public employees to protect essential teaching roles. We must ensure that the Gauteng education system supports both educators and learners effectively," said spokesperson, Sergio Isa Dos Santos.