GOOD Speech by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament
07 April 2025
*Note to editor: This speech was delivered by GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament Brett Herron during today’s debate on the Western Cape Education Budget (Vote 05)
Every year, as the budget approaches, we hear grand promises about the government’s commitment to education and ensuring that no child is left behind.
But actions speak louder than words, and deliberately defunding the education sector by R2 billion in the current financial year, and by R6.5 billion over the MTEF, tells us everything we need to know about the government’s priorities. This decision is yet another painful reminder of the persistent underinvestment in education.
The additional R549 million allocated for learner growth over the next three years is simply insufficient to meet the growing demands of our education system.
If we are truly committed to investing in the future of our youth, we must ensure that schools are equipped with adequate infrastructure, that teachers are properly compensated for their critical work, and that there are robust support systems in place.
Unfortunately, this budget fails to address these fundamental needs.
This underfunding follows the disastrous 2024 budget, which quickly went from being balanced to a crisis within months, with a R3.8 billion shortfall over three years and 2,407 teacher posts being cut. Yet, instead of addressing these issues, the 2025 budget completely abandons the baseline, and miraculously, the situation seems to be resolved.
This education budget is like setting a house on fire and then being surprised when it burns down. By not fully funding education, the government isn’t simply neglecting its duties, it’s actively sabotaging the future of our children. If this year mirrors the previous one, we could soon hear of another shortfall, likely similar to the defunded PES (provincial equitable share) amount.
It’s time for the Western Cape Government to stop making excuses and take real responsibility. The future of our children is at stake, and it’s high time they received the funding and support they deserve.
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