If the national government proceeds with its financial cuts to the Western Cape Government, which could well mean cuts in teaching posts, among other things, the consequences will likely be profoundly detrimental to the quality of education.
Teachers are the backbone of any educational system. Reducing the number of teaching posts will inevitably lead to larger class sizes, placing an unsustainable burden on the remaining teachers. And at the end of the day those who are affected most severely are schools that do not have the luxury of outside funding and adequate school fees.
Special-needs education, in particular, could suffer greatly, as these students require more individualised attention, which becomes nearly impossible to deliver.
In the long term, the impact on society could be severe. A poorly educated workforce is a dead-end for economic development and will further stunt inequality. Education is not merely an expense but an investment in the future.
Any negative stance towards education undermines the potential of an entire generation, leading to a cycle of poverty and social instability that will cost far more than budget cuts.