The Department of Basic Education rejects claims by the NGO Equal Education that it has failed to publish Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure.
Minister Angie Motshekga has consistently communicated with the NGO to clarify the processes involved in publishing Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure.
The law requires the department to consider comments and input from various stakeholders before Regulations can be published. After careful consideration of each and every comment, there will inevitably be a substantial redrafting of the Regulations. In addition, the department will have to publish the redrafted Regulations in the Government Gazette in order to allow all stakeholders the opportunity to submit final comments.
In a letter to Equal Education on 9 May 2013, Minister Angie Motshekga stated that the compulsory consultation process with NEDLAC has not been concluded, and that the department awaits the final report. Once this has been submitted, the Minister will have to consider recommendations of the report.
“Equal Education is fully aware of these processes and the legal timeframes involved, hence the Minister’s request to allow at least six months for the process to take place. It is therefore disappointing to note the bad faith in which Equal Education is dealing with this matter, by going to court and causing unnecessary media frenzy, considering that they are privy to all the processes required to finalise Norms and Standards. This approach is nothing but grandstanding, for reasons only known to the NGO,” said Minister Motshekga.
The department continues to engage with Equal Education, and as a matter of fact has a scheduled meeting with them this week. Following this meeting and as per policy, the Minister has to discuss the Norms and Standards with Provincial MECs of Education who are finally the implementers. It is, therefore unfortunate that Equal Education creates an impression that the Department of Basic Education is failing to discharge its responsibility whilst in fact they are fully aware of the processes currently underway.
Enquiries:
Hope Mokgatlhe
Cell: 071 680 6849
Panyaza Lesufi
Cell: 072 148 9575
