Education

(1-2)
A circular has been issued to schools outlining staffing processes for the 2026 academic year, which confirms that the Basket of Posts allocation for 2025 will be retained for 2026.
We will be able to provide for 35 934 posts, and schools will receive their individual staff establishments for 2026 on Friday, 29 August 2025.
This follows consultations with teachers’ unions and School Governing Body (SGB) associations regarding the total number of teaching posts for the 2026 school year.
Last year, we made the difficult decision to reduce the number of teaching posts in our system, in order to remain fiscally sustainable. We chose to protect critical learner support services like school nutrition and transport, school Norms and Standards payments, and support for Learners with Special Education Needs.
But we know that our decision to reduce posts placed significant strain on our schools.
And while the Basket of Posts allocation for 2025 will remain the same for 2026, we recognise that the number of learners in our school system will continue to grow next year.
Unfortunately, we continue to face significant fiscal uncertainty over the medium term. Responding to growth is dependent on having more certainty regarding the 2 budget, and so we will only be able to make decisions about this once we have more budget certainty for the 2026 school year.
We are also working closely with other provinces to support the national Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, in engaging the National Treasury regarding the need for additional funding for the education sector.
We thank every one of our teachers, principals and officials for the support they have given, and continue to give, to our learners. It is through your efforts that we have been able to maintain a stable education system for the children of the Western Cape.