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.
The decision follows consultations with teachers’ unions and School Governing Body (SGB) associations regarding the total number of posts available. Last year the province reduced the number of teaching posts in 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.”
He acknowledged that the reduction had placed “significant strain” on schools, but noted that 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 the number of learners in our school system will continue to grow next year.”
Maynier warned that any further increase in staffing would depend on the province gaining more certainty around its future budgets. “Responding to growth is dependent on having more certainty regarding the budget, and so we will be able to make decisions about this only once we have more budget certainty for 2026.”
The WCED is also working with other provinces to lobby the National Treasury for additional funding for education.
Maynier expressed 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.”
