Bleak year ahead for Eastern Cape schools with budget slashed Absence of strong leadership and 'corrupt tendencies' add to Covid woes 07 January 2021 - 10:40 By Gugu Phandle Some schools had to dip into their reserves just to get by in 2020. Stock photo. Image: PAYLESSIMAGES / 123RF Many Eastern Cape schools will operate on blind faith when their doors open at the end of January due to the dramatic budget cuts made to the education sector. Some schools, especially those in the lower quintiles, already had to dip into their reserves to cover maintenance and sanitation costs just to get by in 2020, but now those funds are depleted.