The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that the number of teaching posts in the province will remain unchanged for the 2026 academic year, maintaining the 35 934 positions allocated for 2025.
Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier made the announcement following the release of a departmental circular earlier this week by Head of Department Brent Walters, which outlined staffing processes for 2026. Schools were expected to receive their individual staff establishments on Friday 29 August 2025.
The decision follows consultations with teachers’ unions and school-governing bodies (SGB) regarding the total number of posts available.
Last year the province reduced the number of teaching posts, a move described by Maynier as necessary, to ensure fiscal sustainability. “We chose to protect critical learner-support services such as school nutrition and transport, school norms-and-standards payments and support for learners with special education needs (LSEN),” he said.
Maynier acknowledged that the reduction had placed “significant strain” on schools, but noted the province was doing its best to maintain stability in the face of ongoing financial uncertainty.
“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,” he said.
Despite this anticipated growth Maynier warned any further increase in staffing would depend on the province gaining more certainty on its future budgets.
“Responding to growth is dependent on having more certainty regarding the budget,” he explained, “and so we will only be able to make decisions about this once we have more budget certainty for the 2026 school year.”
The WCED is also working with other provinces to support Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube in lobbying the National Treasury for additional funding for the education sector.
Maynier ended by expressing his appreciation for the province’s educators: “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.”
