EXPERTS say the latest slashing of teacher posts by the Eastern Cape education department will only lead to higher pupil to teacher ratios, lower morale in classrooms and further teacher shortages.

The department has announced that teacher posts in the province will be cut by 1049, from 55796 this year to 54747 for next year.

Provincial department spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the decision to cut posts was based on pupil numbers provided by schools.

"The MEC also has the discretion to appoint more teachers if we find schools reporting huge shortages next year.

"If there is a need, more teachers will be appointed. The fact is that we have not seen an increase in learner numbers," he said.

But according to DA member of the provincial legislature Edmund van Vuuren, schools are already being crippled by vacant posts while there are over 2000 teachers floating in the system who cannot be appointed as they do not have the relevant qualifications [for subjects that are lacking teachers].

He said MEC Mandla Makupula had also decided to hold back 4000 posts which he will fill at his own discretion.

He said the Eastern Cape education department urgently needed a system free of teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms.

Last week, MEC Makupula told members of the portfolio committee on education in the Bhisho legislature that his decision to hold back a further 4000 posts was based on a principle of "quality teachers, not quantity". Schools are expected to decide which subjects and teachers must be cut.

Independent education specialist Professor Susan van Rensburg said the department's decision to slash posts was "confusing" as schools did not have excess teachers.

"Taking away another 1000 posts will impact on pupils with learning problems. Also, how will these posts be cut? Will the teachers be retrenched or be asked to take early retirement? If this is a cost-cutting exercise the question must be asked whether the department could not cut costs elsewhere."