This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
Newsday reports that trade union Solidarity has warned that teachers will be significantly impacted by the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) decision to cut funding for certain public schools in 2026.
This comes after Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane advised around 750 public schools in the province that their state subsidy would be cut by more than 60%. The department informed quintile 5 schools in the province that the national tariff of R315 per learner for resource allocations would be in effect for 2026, citing alignment with national standards and budget constraints. For years, quintile 4 and 5 schools in the province received the same amount of R838 per learner for expenses such as textbooks, stationary, and water and electricity.
According to Johan Botha of Solidarity’s Teacher Network, which represents over 6,000 educators, the cut in subsidies will make it increasingly difficult for schools to retain teaching staff, manage class sizes, and maintain essential support structures. “Many schools will be forced to abolish teaching posts and other positions, placing an additional burden on the remaining teachers. Larger class sizes will increase workload and stress levels for teachers who are already overworked. This could affect the quality of education and highlights how such government decisions ultimately harm our children, whose academic performance may suffer as a result,” Botha pointed out. He has written to the GDE, demanding that the cuts be withdrawn and reviewed in consultation with schools.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Daniel Puchert at Newsday
- Read Solidarity’s press statement in regard to the above at Politicsweb
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page