In a recent circular to principals, educators, and school-based staff, the Western Cape Education Department has announced a significant budget shortfall of R3.8 billion over the next three years.As a result, 2407 teaching positions will be eliminated from 1 January 2025.Brent Walters, the WCED’s head of education, explained that the department received only 64% of the funding needed for the public sector wage agreement, with the remaining 36% covered by provincial funds.The increased class size will result in a 1:44 student-to-teacher ratio, meaning each child will receive less individual attention and teachers will face greater challenges to manage their classrooms effectively.Vanessa le Roux, founder of PEESA (Parents for Equal Education South Africa) joins us now.