Chairperson, the National Development Plan, the NDP, states that "education ... is central to South Africa's long-term development" and that it is also a core element in eliminating poverty and reducing inequality.
What do we need to do to make quality education a reality? We need 25 000 teachers entering our school system per annum. We are budgeting for only 6 800, with absolute inadequate interventions to attract and retain teachers.
Every child requires a textbook, but this budget denies 1,95 million learners access to their own textbooks. Every child deserves to attend a school that is safe. The infrastructure budget has been cut by R180 million; this, despite 8 500 schools being housed in unsafe structures.
The budget of R16,3 billion represents a 20% increase on last year's expenditure. The funds are not lacking, but the right priorities, the right plan and adequate capacity to implement certainly are.
The DA cannot support this Budget Vote. I thank you, hon Chairperson. [Applause.]