Budget Speech 2025: R19.1 billion allocated to retain teachers

The government has allocated R19.1 billion over the medium term to retain approximately 11 000 teachers in classrooms.

R19.1 billion allocated to retain teachers. Image: iStock

The government has allocated R19.1 billion over the medium term to retain approximately 11 000 teachers in classrooms. This move aims to address high learner-teacher ratios and ensure the stability of the education system.

Addressing teachers’ shortages

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana highlighted the need for more teachers in classrooms during his Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday.

“Our learner-teacher ratios remain higher than we would like, meaning that we still need more teachers in classrooms,” he stated.

Salaries currently consume 76% of provincial education budgets, leaving limited funds for critical resources such as school infrastructure, learner meals, stationery, and textbooks.

“To prevent compensation of employees from crowding out other equally important areas of spending, R19.1 billion is added over the medium term to keep approximately 11 000 teachers in classrooms,” Godongwana explained.

Early Childhood Development Gets a Boost

The government has also prioritised early childhood development (ECD), which Godongwana described as the foundation for building a generation that contributes economically and socially. Despite its importance, the subsidy for ECD has remained stagnant at R17 per day per child since 2019.

“To remedy this, an additional R10 billion over the medium term is allocated to increase the subsidy to R24 per day per child,” the minister announced.

This funding will also expand ECD access to approximately 700 000 more children up to four years old, improving early learning opportunities across the country.

Student Funding and Skills Development

Higher education will also see changes, particularly in financial aid. The Department of Higher Education is rolling out a pilot student funding model for the “missing middle,” students from families earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will manage these loans, with funding from the National Skills Fund amounting to R1.5 billion in 2024/25 and R3 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

In addition, the government plans to review the apprenticeship and skills development levy systems.

“The goal, in collaboration with the private sector, is to double the number of artisans completing trade tests in the next three years through increased work-based learning opportunities,” Godongwana noted.