Media statement on the investigation report into the procurement and distribution of sanitary pads by the KZN Department of Education
Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the media
Introduction
At the outset we wish to state that the Department of Education has a sole and singular mandate which is teaching and learning – an activity that mainly happens in a classroom. All other things that the department engages in on should, by right, be measured by how they contribute and facilitate ease of teaching and learning in the classroom.
The Department of Education engages on a number of initiatives aimed at improving learner outcomes and these include, amongst others, the National School Nutrition Programme, Learner Teacher Support Material, building 21st Century Schools and investing on cutting edge technology in our schools.
In KwaZulu-Natal, almost 70% of our schools are located in under-developed rural and township areas across the province. These are schools attended by learners from impoverished families who can barely afford any other thing except waking up their kids to go to school with the hope that they will get most of the support from the school system.
The impact of these harsh realities is felt more by the girl learners who have to miss certain school days every month responding to nature. As consequence of this, the academic performance of girl learners gets severely affected and so is their future.
To intervene in favor of the girl learners, the Department conceptualized the programme to provide free sanitary towels to the deserving girl leaners.
The ultimate objective of this noble programme was to improve learner attendance and performance of girl learners. It therefore became part of the necessary intervention by government in the same spirit the National School Nutrition Programme and Leaner Teacher Support Material.
Pilot stage of the programme
During the year 2016, the Department of Education launched a pilot project to provide sanitary towels to indigent girl learners in order to reduce the dropout rate and improve the academic performance of girl learners. An amount of R20 000 000.00 was set aside for this pilot programme for selected schools in quintile 1-4 schools specifically targeting Grade 4 to 12 girl learners.
Expansion of the programme
Around April 2017, the Department approved the purchase of sanitary pads for 953 122 girl learners at the cost of R54 899 827.20. In August 2017, the Department approved and issued a second order for the same number of learners and at the same cost. In total the department between 2016 and 2017 spent R129 799 654 to procure sanitory towels.
During the implementation of this programme, the allegations of over-supply, supply to non-deserving schools and possible flouting of processes and procedures was raised by unions and other organs of society. These allegations led into the commissioning of a forensic investigation conducted by Phumlani Mkhize & Associates (Pty) LTD.
Key findings of the investigation
The following are key finds from the forensic investigation:
- At the stage of expanding the programme, the sanitary towels were to be procured for girl learners in all public schools from Grade 4 – 12 and thereby ceasing to be a programme aimed at only indigent girls in selected quintile schools.
- The number of girl learners to benefit was determined by statistics obtained from Education Management Information System for the 2016 school year but to be used in the 2017 implementation plan.
- That not only were these statistics for the incorrect year, but were well known to be unreliable.
- In determining the number of girl learners to benefit, neither a needs analysis nor any evaluations of the pilot project was performed.
- That the Department was misled in approving the procurement of unnecessary sanitary towels.
- There was no guide to the distribution and implementation of this project. Circular number 65 of 2017 which sought to address this issue was only signed into effect on the 27 July 2017 when the distribution had already started on the 23 May 2017.
- In one of the meetings, the issue of surplus stock was identified and a decision was made to deliver such surplus to the Districts and Head Office.
- However, in the submission made to the HOD subsequently, the number of girl learners to benefit remained unchanged and no issue of surplus stock was referred to nor any evaluation of the first order.
- In a survey conducted by the investigators, it was revealed that an excess of 2 702 065 packs of sanitary pads were not needed.
- The site visits conducted by investigators in each District Office confirmed significant surplus stock being stored in various places.
- That the Districts had no role in the implementation and monitoring of the project.
- In quantifying a lost in relation to sanitary pads distributed, it was established that 388 680 packs were not delivered to the District Offices and the Head Office. A further 64 269 packs were not delivered to schools. These packs are valued at the cost of R4 310.40
Recommendations from the investigation
The forensic report recommends that appropriate disciplinary action be preferred against the Deputy Director General for Institutional Development Support Branch, the Chief Director for Social Enrichment Programmes and the Director for Special Needs Education. These officials were identified as responsible for the mismanagement of the project resulting into oversupply and financial loss to the Department.
Taking the necessary steps to recover the losses incurred as a result of the failure by the service providers to make full deliveries for goods and services.
Having applied my mind to the report, I came to the conclusion to accept the findings and recommendations of the report. I have since written to the officials affected by the adverse finding to inform them about my decision and that I have referred the report to the Head of Department for implementation.
The implicated officials have now been suspended pending the outcomes of the disciplinary hearing.
On the allegations facing the director for employee relations
I also want to deal the matter relating to the Director for Employee Relations who is now on suspension. I am dealing with this matter because it has generated some public interest with some alleging which-hunt and/or persecution.
The Director in question is facing and has to answer to allegations relating to the appointment of a particular teacher during the marking of the Matric Exams.
The teacher in question did not meet the requirement and therefore did not qualify. However, it is alleged that she was appointed after the intervention of the Director, who allegedly directed that the educator in question must be appointed because she is a girlfriend to the MEC.
The educator was removed from the marking center after the DDG for Curriculum Management and Assessments and HOD were alerted of these allegations. All the scripts that she had marked were re-marked by other suitably qualified educators.
Conclusion
We want to state on record that, without passing judgement against anyone, fraud and corruption have no place in the Department of Education. Where there are allegations of fraud, corruption and any other malfeasances we are prepared and determined to act without fear, favour or prejudice.
Like we have said in a number of staff meetings, no one must commit any wrong in the name of the MEC or of the ANC. The MEC, by law, cannot involve himself on procurement matters and we stand by that. We invite any employee who is given an unlawful instruction purported from the MEC to report that immediately to me or the Premier.
Equally, the ANC does not involve itself on procurement matters of any department. If the ANC has a view on any policy matter in relation to the Department, it will relate that to MEC as its deployee. Therefore, anyone who come under the guise of an instruction from the ANC should be reported.
