Nelson Mandela once said “education is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world.”

His words resonate now more than ever, as we face a crisis in the education sector. With recent cutbacks threatening the future of learners and teachers alike, one can only wonder what Mandela would think of the diminished support for the very tool he believed could transform society. The stark contrast between his vision of empowerment through education and today’s reality highlights the urgent need to prioritise and protect this fundamental right.

I want to clarify that I am not speaking on behalf of every teacher, but rather expressing the general sentiment that is prevalent within education and among teachers.

As a teacher I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent budget cuts on schools and the wider community. With ten teachers at a certain school in our area facing job losses, the quality of education at our institution is under severe threat.

This issue extends far beyond our school; it affects the entire community we serve. The anticipated increase in class sizes – potentially reaching 45-55 students per class – will have significant consequences. One important question is: Are these classrooms designed to accommodate 50 learners, and would these politicians who are making these decisions put there children in these overcrowded classrooms?

When class sizes grow to such large numbers it becomes increasingly challenging for teachers to provide personalised attention and support to each student. This compromises the quality of education and hinders learners’ ability to thrive academically and personally.

The Western Cape Education Department has publicly committed to ensuring all learners in the province receive the knowledge, skills and values necessary to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to societal development. They have pledged to champion quality education for every child, in every classroom, and in every school across the Western Cape.

However, these recent budget cuts and the resulting teacher retrenchments starkly contradict these promises. If the department truly valued quality education it would not allow such drastic measures that undermine the learning environment and educational standards. Instead of fostering an environment where each child can receive the attention they need to succeed, we are facing a scenario where overcrowded classrooms will limit individual learner support and compromise educational outcomes. An increase in school drop-outs will place additional pressure on the community, resulting in a likely rise in unemployment, which will ultimately contribute to poverty within our community.

The department’s stated goals of delivering high-quality education and preparing students for future success seem increasingly hollow in light of these actions. It’s clear that there is a significant gap between their stated objectives and the reality of their decisions. This situation not only affects the learners currently enrolled but also has long-term implications for the community’s educational landscape.

As we navigate these challenges we are advocating not only for our current students and staff, but also for the future generations who will be impacted by these cuts. We urge the Western Cape Education Department to reconsider these budgetary decisions and prioritise maintaining manageable class sizes and supporting our dedicated educators. The quality of education and the future success of our learners depend on it.

The WCED should be ashamed, and I emphasise, ashamed for burdening school principals with the difficult and distressing responsibility of declaring teachers as excess. I believe this has been a challenging and traumatic experience for many of them. As a liberated educator my colleagues and I will continue to fight for justice in an unjust society.

John Pointorico Claude Smit.Teacher and MEd Law and Policy student at UJ.