Honourable Speaker
Honourable Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier
Members of the provincial legislature
The House of Traditional Leaders
Representatives from civil society
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Esteemed guests, parents and teachers
Members of teacher organisations
Officials of the Department of Education
Special guests from Schools
Media representatives
Ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
In his State of the Nation Address, on 11 February 2010, the Honourable President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, reaffirmed that government has placed education and skills development at the centre of this government's policies.
Honourable Speaker,
To underline our commitment to realise goals that government has set for us, The North West Department of Education strives for quality public education for all learners in public ordinary schools and in the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) learning centres.
President Jacob Zuma further said: "For as long as there are children who do not have the means or the opportunity to receive a decent education, we shall not rest and we dare not falter in our drive to eradicate poverty. This is an era of doing things differently, of increasing the pace of service delivery and ensuring that work is determined by clear outcomes".
We remain true to this calling.
As was mentioned by me before and reiterated by the Premier of the North West province, the Honourable Maureen Modiselle, our matriculation results dropped by a half a percentage, from 68 percent in 2008 to 67.5 percent in 2009. However, in comparison with learner achievement elsewhere, ours turns out to be minute.
Furthermore, in spite of the myriad of challenges in the past financial year, which confronted the provincial government in general and the Department of Education in particular, we maintained a fervent fortitude and remained focused on our goal of dispensing education in line with the strategic priorities of government during this political term.
As a collective we refused to be swayed by the internal trials and tribulations which were exacerbated by a biting economic recession both nationally and internationally from which we have not fully recovered.
The change of guard in the ruling party has brought about some very interesting changes in the educational landscape. One such change is the culmination of the establishment of the two distinct departments, i.e. the Department of Basic Education, which caters for the General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET) phases and the Department of Higher Education and Training, which caters for the Further Education and Training colleges, adult education and tertiary education.
For us, the split has positive spin-offs in that it will enhance our capacity to deliver service on a more focused scale. In his 2010 budget speech, we also heard the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Pravin Gordhan, saying that "the budget for FET colleges of R12 billion over three years, has been shifted from provinces to the national department".
Honourable Speaker, from the budget speech of the MEC for Finance, the Honourable Louisa Mabe, you will note that this year, Education received R9.050.791 billion, which we will spend to deliver on eight programmes as follows:
1. Programme one: Administration (R615.116 million: increase of 11.8 percent)
(a) Internal audit services
In the previous financial year, R5.9 million was allocated to internal audit services to implement the operational audit plan, which was derived from a risk assessment of the department.
For the review of adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, governance and risk management, services were provided in the following programmes: Infrastructure, Human Resource Management, Transfer Payments, National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), Financial and Accounting Services, Education Management Information System (EMIS), Data Collection and Assets Management.
Currently, the department is implementing its anti-fraud and corruption strategy through workshops to increase vigilance among staff members. The department also continues to participate in the provincial Anti-Corruption Forum which is coordinated by the Office of the Premier.
In the new financial year, R6.1 million is allocated to provide assurance services in respect of the following: asset management, contract management, infrastructure and learner and teacher support material (LTSM), human resource management, finance and accounting services, Early Childhood Development (ECD) and anti-fraud and corruption drive.
Except for the general administration of the department, funds under this programme are also spent on legal services, communication and security services.
2. Programme two: Public Ordinary Schools Education (R7.529 billion: 10 percent increase)
(a) School funding
Honourable Speaker, the introduction of the no-fee school policy is intended to reduce the burden of paying school fees by parents or guardians who cannot afford to do so mainly due to their poverty status.
However it has come to our attention that some our schools have tended to substitute the levying of school fees at these kinds of schools with so-called donations.
It is a matter of grave concern for the department, hence, the department will in this financial year issue guidelines to regulate parental contributions to no-fee schools so as to make it affordable if they have to make any contributions to such schools.
Our legal team has been instructed to develop guidelines in this regard.
(b) Learner support materials
Honourable Speaker,
In the 2009/10 financial year, the budget allocation for learner and teacher support materials (LTSM) was R300 million. The money was mainly used to replenish textbooks in grades four to six and supply physical and life science textbooks to grade 11, literature books to grade nine, stationery to all grades, art class books to grade 10 to 12, atlases to grade 10 to 12 and dictionaries to grade 12.
Consumable and non consumable materials were purchased for technology, agriculture, hospitality and consumer studies and technology kits for primary schools. A subsidy for victuals for practicals in hospitality and consumer studies has been transferred to relevant schools.
An additional R15 million was allocated during the half yearly adjustment of the budget to top up textbooks where there were shortages, for curriculum extensions and for newly established schools.
Consistent with the preferential goals of government and the ANC resolution for increased access to schools and providing adequate resources, 15 percent of the LTSM provisioning was done by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs).
The department continues to implement the norms and standards for school funding in its pro-poor LTSM allocation. This resulted in 35percent of the
LTSM budget in 2009/10 being spent in quintile one schools, and only five percent in quintile five schools.
For the 2010/11 financial year, the following spending will be prioritised: senior phase textbooks for grade seven to nine, grade eight literature, grade 12 life sciences, stationery, consumable and non-consumables, materials and equipment for technology, hospitality and consumer studies, agriculture, life sciences, art subjects, computer application technology (CAT) and information technology (IT), technology kits and for victual subsidies.
Textbooks will be selected by specialists coordinated by a services provider paid by the Publishing Association of South Africa (PASA). This will ensure credible learner teacher materials as envisaged by the ruling party's call for the effective implementation of the curriculum and credible selection of learner teacher support materials to improve quality teaching and learning in our schools.
Over and above the norms and standards budget allocation, funds have been set aside to provide 500 schools with books for libraries over the medium term.
To achieve these goals in the current financial year, we will allocate R306 million and an additional R10 million for school furniture. This resonates well with the ANC's resolution of promoting greater access to schools that are materially adequately resourced.
(c) Educator remuneration
During the 2009/10 financial year, R37.27 million was allocated for the payment of incentives to 2 318 teachers at 237 schools. In 2010/11 an amount of R39.88 million is earmarked to respond to this directive. As the honourable premier indicated in her 2010/11 State of the Province Address, R389.381 million was spent on the implementation of second phase of the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD).
This money was spent on teachers for:
- the recognition of experience in teaching by awarding teachers one notch for every three years of work from the date of appointment
- a salary progression of three percent to teachers with one year of service by 30 June 2009
- The improvement of conditions of service for teachers at REQV 10 to 12
- a once-off cash bonus of three percent to senior and master teachers.
As part of the implementation of the Occupational Specific Dispensation, in the new financial year, teachers will receive the promised laptop allowance to the value of R39 million in line with the ANC's instruction that we must support and develop a dedicated teaching profession.
(d) Staffing
Honourable Speaker, during 2009 we advertised 2 613 educator posts, 377 school based promotional posts and 121 office based educator posts, such as posts of subject specialists, circuit managers and area managers. 29 scarce skills posts were advertised and filled.
In the new financial year we allocate R17.5 million for the reduction of class sizes. At a cost of R35 million, we appointed 365 administrative assistants at schools and in 2010/11, will fill the last 445 of these posts at a cost of R30 million.
The functional analysis that started two years ago will be completed. It is our fervent conviction that the organisational re-alignment will strengthen our schools and district offices. As a next step, matching and placing will be finalised.
This reconfiguration will enhance the support to districts and improve school performance as the ANC's resolution on support for school improvement dictates. Vacancies will be advertised internally for career progression opportunities.
(e) Labour relations
The department concluded 100 of the 158 registered misconduct cases. Our analysis shows a 10 percent escalation of financial misconduct cases; nine percent of absenteeism and six percent of insubordination. Cases of sexual misconduct declined from 10.3 percent in 2008 to six percent in 2009.
In the past financial year, 21 employees were suspended for misconduct and 50 disputes were registered, of which 29 are still pending. Of the 21 concluded disputes, 17 went in favour of the department, five were settled and only three cases were lost. A total of 34 grievances were lodged, of which 14 are still pending.
To work towards a disciplined teaching corps, with an allocation of R1 million for labour relations matters, this year the department will continue to strive towards the conclusion of all outstanding cases of misconduct, disputes and grievances in a fair, effective and efficient manner.
The department will expect teachers to be in class, on time, teaching for the required seven hours, or else, face disciplinary procedures. The department has to take stern action to improve teacher class attendance and to ensure that disciplinary steps are invoked against teachers who do not adhere to the seven hour requirement.
Our existing strong partnership with teacher unions will be further strengthened with the conclusion of a social contract to which the unions have already committed themselves.
Our continuous engagements with unions are aimed at nurturing a climate of labour peace and stability. The implementation of the social contract will be monitored jointly with the teacher unions. We will continue to explore additional and innovative interventions to address this critical challenge.
The department concluded a collective agreement for the permanent appointment of 557 temporary teachers who have more than 24 months service in vacant substantive posts, which will increase our permanent work force to 97 percent of the total work force in the department. This positive development will stabilise schools and bring job security to thousands of educators.
(f) Staff development
Honourable Speaker,
In the past financial year, we allocated R66.2 million for staff development. Among others:
- We trained 7 048 teachers in learning area or subject content, classroom management, learner assessment and lesson planning
- We trained 953 principals in curriculum management, educational legislation and school leadership
- 357 subject advisors were trained in their respective areas of specialisation such as mathematics, grade R, science and geographic information management system
- And further 357 subject advisors were trained in the following general areas: integrated quality management system standards, assessors, moderators and materials development, learning facilitation, Education Laws Amendment Act, curriculum management, incapacity and inefficiency procedures, presiding over cases and advanced labour law.
One thousand three hundred and eight public service staff received training on financial management, supply chain, human resources practices, monitoring and evaluation, public management, internal audit and community development and diversity management.
Honourable Speaker,
In our effort to strengthen the skills of employees, we further awarded 529 bursaries for staff development, hosted 113 interns and enrolled 102 unemployed youth in learnerships in community development and internal auditing.
To refine our strategies for the improvement of teacher skills and to further the aims of the provincial growth and development strategy
(PGDS), we also hosted a Provincial Teacher Development Summit.
Teacher development impacts directly on the scarce skills indentified by the PGDS, such as mining, agriculture and tourism; improving our teacher development provisioning will therefore have a positive influence on the provincial economic growth in general.
In 2010/11, we will develop a comprehensive human resource development strategy, institutionalise mentorship, train and empower women and the disabled. To increase capability, during this financial year teacher development programs will focus on content and methodology.
We will award bursaries appropriately as a measure of enhancing teacher classroom capability. Staff will be trained in all occupational groups and we will continue to host interns.
This year we allocate R50 million for staff development and job creation initiatives, which includes R35 million for teacher development. As part of the first round, 500 Life Orientation teachers will be trained to become professional guidance counsellors.
As part of implementing the resolutions of the Teacher Development Summit hosted by the department earlier this year, we will initiate a process that could lead to the establishment of a teacher development institute as envisaged by a resolution of the governing party.
(g) Employee Wellness
During the previous financial year, the department trained 352 peer educators, 15 occupational health and safety representatives on safety, health, the environment and management and 1 700 principals on supervision.
During October 2009, a Breast Cancer Awareness campaign was conducted among office based staff and in November 2009 a campaign on "No Violence Against Women and Children" was mounted for 350 female employees. In addition, five employees from the Employee Health and Wellness section were trained on debt counselling.
During the year under review, 1 200 employees received counselling. A condom campaign "Prevention is better than Cure" was held in February 2010 for 500 employees. In 2010/11, in accordance with the Employee Health and Wellness Programme (EPWP), 250 supervisors will be trained on HIV and AIDS disclosure and de-stigmatisation.
Training on voluntary counselling and testing will also be compulsory for all employees. We allocate R750 000 for the battle against HIV and AIDS within our work force.
A joint structure exists between the Department of Education and Department of Health and Social Development to enhance the level of delivery on HIV and AIDS programmes in line with the commitment made by the president of the republic during his State of the Nation Address.
We also established a provincial Health Promoting School Committee to create an environment in which all sectors rendering health services to schools integrate planning activities and share resources. From one to five March, the Departments of Education together with the Department of Health implemented the School Health Screening programme.
(i) Kurrikulum implementering
- Verdere onderwys en opleiding (VOO)
Agbare Speaker,
Verlede jaar het ons die totale toekenning van R2.97 miljoen, wat vir die implementering van die VOO-kurrikulum bedoel was, op die instandhouding van die nasionale kurrikulum verklaring bestee. Die kurrikulum is nou ten volle in alle fases van die skoolstelsel geïmplementeer.
Vakadviseurs wat deur die nasionale Onderwys Department opgelei is, het op
hulle beurt 7 062 onderwysers opgelei in die implementering van die kurrikulum. Hierdie opleiding het 52 taalvakadviseurs ingesluit wat opleiding ontvang het van die Noordwes Universiteit in die nuwe literatuur.
Vir die 2010/11 finansiële jaar word R3 miljoen toegeken vir kurrikulum implementering in die VOO band. Soos aangedui deur ons agbare premier in haar Provinsie Rede, sal hierdie geld, onder andere, gebruik word om vakadviseurs en onderwysers te ondersteun.
Slegs onderwysers wat volgens die Analitiese Moderateursverslae hulp benodig, sal opleiding ontvang in vakinhoud.
Hierdie jaar gaan ons R6.7 miljoen gebruik om 19 tegniese hoërskole herkapitaliseer. Hier die is 'n inisiatief wat landwyd geïmplementeer word.
Agbare Speaker, voordat ek afstap van die tema VOO kurrikulum, wil ek net graag met sorg melding maak van die afwesigheid van swart leerders in die top twintig presteerders van die provinsie sowel as die kwessie van skoolverlating.
In hierdie verband will ek sê dat ek 'n navorsingspan aangestel het om
die kwessie te ondersoek. Ek hoop dat die span met konkrete implementeerbare voorstelle vorendag sal kom.
- Algemene onderwys en opleiding (AOO)
Agbare Speaker, in die 2009/10 finansiële jaar was R2.238 miljoen op verskeie aktiwiteite in die AOO kurrikulum gespandeer. In terme van die implementering van die Fondasiesvan Leer program het ons vakadviseurs ge-oriënteer, graad een tot ses onderwysers opgelei en leermateriaal en leerprofiele aan onderwysers veskaf.
Die Agbare President, Meneer Jacob Zuma, het in sy Staatsrede as volg leiding gegee: "From this year onwards, all grade three, six and nine students will write literacy and numeracy tests".
Hierdie uitspraak van die president was verder deur die Agbare Minister van Finansies, Mnr Pravin Gordhan, in sy 2010 Begrotingsrede as volg versterk, "and to test all learners in grades three, six and nine, a further R2.7 billion is allocated to the Department of Basic
Education".
In reaksie op hierdie direktief, Agbare Speaker, gaan ons graad three, six en nine leerders, gedurende November 2010, nasionale eksamens aflê in Syfer geletterdheid of wiskunde en geletterdheid of tale. 'n Provinsiale eksamen sal terselfdertyd op graad drie-vlak in die res van die leerareas afgelê word.
Hierby sal provinsiale eksamens afgelê word op die graad ses en nege vlakke in die ses leerareas wat nie deur die nasionale eksamens gedek word nie. Met ander woorde, in lyn met die aankondigings van die president in sy Staatsrede, sal ons, in ons provinsie, algemene eksamens op graadvlakke drie, ses en nege aflê.
Hierdie jaar sal ons 'n doelgerigte strategie implementeer ter bevordering van Geletterdheid, Syfergeletterdheid en Engels.
ANC resolution on effective implementation of the curriculum: Purposeful strategy to improve literacy, numeracy and languages in the foundation phase.
In hierdie verband sal elke leerder a werkboek ontvang. Soos aangekondig deur die agbare premier, in haar Provinsiale Rede, gaan ons hierdie jaar die leerderportefeulje afskaf in 'n poging om die administratiewe las van
onderwysers te verlig. Ons gaan ook die onderwyserslêer verminder to een lêer per vak.
Hopelik sal hierdie wysigings die onderwysers 'n kans gee om meer op hul onderrigtaak te fokus.
(j) Learner attainment implementation plan (LAIP)
Honourable Speaker,
In the previous financial year, R37 million was allocated for the implementation of the department's learner attainment improvement plan (LAIP). With this money, the department arranged vacation camps from which more than 14 000 learners benefited.
The funds were further used for training principals of first time matric schools and supplying study guides, photocopy machines and enriched learning for gifted learners.
The learner attainment improvement plan is our innovative intervention to improve learner achievement. During this financial year, LAIP receives R39.249 million. This funding will assist the department to undertake subject content training for teachers, enriched learning exercises in revision camps, vacation schools, purchasing of study guides and teaching aids in general.
In her State of the Province Address, the honourable premier mentioned that "our performance monitoring of the system will be spread across all levels of the education occurrence and not only matric". The Department of Education in the province confirms this approach and therefore we have accordingly decided to expand LAIP to include the General Education and Training (GET) band.
Honourable Speaker, in his State of the Nation Address, the President, the Honourable Jacob Zuma, said: "In our 2010 programme, we want to improve the ability of our children to read, write and count in the foundation years. Unless we do this, we will not improve the quality of education".
The provincial department is reacting to this call by committing that as from this year; our focus in the GET band will be on the mastery of the basics in education, namely reading, writing and numeracy.
(k) Rural education and institutional development
Honourable Speaker, within the broader policy framework of merging public educational institutions in order to utilise resources economically and optimally, during 2009/10 we merged 66 schools into 28 fully functional schools.
For 2010/11, we will continue to strengthen farm, rural and small schools. Each of our education districts will develop and implement a comprehensive and contextually relevant accountability system to turn around the schooling system in accordance with the governing party's resolution of a credible and outcomes focused planning and accountability system.
We are going to approach all government departments and selected private sector entities to adopt at least two schools in an attempt to improve these institutions to support our school improvement initiatives.
(l) School enrichment (sport, arts and culture)
Honourable Speaker,
With the allocation, R14.6 million of 2009/10, we promoted mass participation and intensified cooperation with other government departments and stakeholders in various sporting and cultural events.
The department delivered in all the planned programmes that is sport, Arts and culture, music eisteddfod, race and values. The province performed exceptionally well by obtaining position one in the under 18 girls volleyball at the national winter games held in Durban.
In the national South African Schools' Choral Eisteddfod the North West province was fully represented in all the three categories and we made our presence felt by scooping three position ones thus: Ntebogang High School from Zeerust (indigenous folklore and HIV and AIDS music) Boitumelo Primary (own choice music) and Zamakulunga Intermediate Schools (indigenous Folklore and HIV and AIDS music) both from Matlosana.
Tlamelang School for the physically disabled learners, made the province proud by being the only school in their category and "nogal" obtaining fourth position in the own choice section of the competition.
As part of our social cohesion and nation building initiative, the province participated in the national Nkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History competition and Ms Yvonne Kube from Kgalatlowe High School emerged the national winner for educators' category.
In the learners category, Neo Panane from Tlokwe High School in Potchefstroom obtain position two whereby her project was "History of my School".
The South African Schools' Football 2010 World Cup competition, the biggest school tournament in the history of school sport in this province, it generated an alarming interest and attracted 778 schools and in turn 1 091 school teams registered and participated throughout the province.
The participation in this campaign rocketed sky high to 18 547 learners who actively took part in both football and the education pillar.
Seiphemelo High School from Ikageng in Potchefstroom was crowned the National under 18 boys champions whilst Keurhof Special
School from Klerksdorp scooped the championís trophy in the under 18 girls.
Once more our amalgamated and model farm school, Onkgopotse Tiro Comprehensive, won the National Performance Art during the Education Pillar in the specific genre of Borankana.
Our main challenge remains limited financial resources which impact negatively on our mandate to deliver all our programmes to all schools taking into account the high percentage of "no-fees schools".
Staffing remains a challenge at corporate but the short comings and demand is more acute at the grassroots level that is, the Area Offices.
Despite all the short comings we were able to reach about 70 percent of our rural schools in the implementation of our programmes. At lower levels we survived with the engagement of the parent component to augment available resources.
The limited staff members went an extra mile to an extent that they engaged 24 hours and seven days a week in ensuring that there is maximum participation at all levels. Our wish is that budget allocation at district level range from R2.5 million but be informed by the number of learners to ensure equitable financial resources per capital.
(m) School library and media services
Honourable Speaker,
In the 2009/10 budget, R4.1 million was allocated for school library and multimedia services. The money was used, amongst others, for Setswana fiction books delivered at 1 000 primary schools.
We further promoted libraries and books through World Book Day and Literacy Week, as well as purchased stationery to support the processing of library books. We will mainly spend the R5 million allocated for this financial year on supplying English fiction books to primary schools.
- The special intervention for mathematics, science and technology education:
In 2009/10, the special intervention for mathematics, science and technology (MSTS) was allocated R23.2 million, of which R6 million was used to supply 250 under-resourced primary schools with intermediate phase science kits. From this same allocation, R3.6 million was spent on 2 500 girls who participated in our Girl Learner Intervention project.
Honourable Speaker, we note that the mathematics results over the past year, improved with more than five percent, from 46.87 percent to 52.1 percent. In the new financial year, we will strengthen our interventions with content training for mathematics and science teachers.
We will also continue with the training of mathematics and science teachers at the University of Free State, which started last year already.
Our Dinaledi schools are performing very well. Out of 71 schools, eight achieved an overall pass rate of 100 percent. 41 percent of the learners in the province who passed mathematics and science respectively at 50 percent and above come from the Dinaledi schools.
It is also worth mentioning that eight of the top 20 matriculants in the province attended Dinaledi schools and one of them is the top learner. With regard to the number of matriculation endorsements, the top 50 schools include 19 Dinaledi schools. Seven Dinaledi schools are among the top schools that achieved 10 or more subject distinctions.
Honourable Speaker, as part of a purposeful strategy, during 2010 the department will train mathematics and science educators in the primary schools that feed Dinaledi schools (Dinaletsana).
We identified Dinaledi schools which will serve as hubs to neighbouring schools assisting them in improving learner performance in mathematics and physical science. In this financial year, R25 million is allocated to the special intervention for mathematics and science, which will also be utilised to refurbish laboratories and supply specialised materials.
(n) Whole School Evaluation
Our interventions in 2009/10 provided an independent external evaluation of the quality of educational standards in our schools using a budget of R11.8 million for Whole School Evaluation.
In this regard, we issued reports to schools providing guidance towards their improvement. In the new financial year we will continue with the Whole School Evaluation project.
(o) Systemic evaluation
With the previous year's allocation of R3 million for systemic evaluation, the department conducted a baseline survey at 242 primary schools that form part of the Quality Improvement Development Support and Upliftment programme (QIDSUP).
It is anticipated that the results of this survey will improve learners' ability to read, write and count. This year, systemic evaluation receives R5.045 million. The QIDSUP project, in 2010/11, receives R12.156 million to ensure that all learners have access to schools that are adequately resourced.
This year, systemic evaluation will support learners in their early years of schooling. The department will also implement and support the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) in line with our drive for supporting and developing a dedicated teaching profession.
To strengthen our push for Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign, we are in the process of commissioning a research with the North West University to establish why learners drop out of school. This will assist us to consider options for learner retention within the system.
(p) Education management and governance development (EMGD)
In 2009/10, R3.739 million was allocated to EMGD activities. These funds were mainly used for the school governing body (SGB) elections and training, which included sessions on roles and responsibilities and school financial management.
Training was also done for the Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs) and senior management teams (SMTs) of schools. 955 SMT members were trained on the management of the implementation of the national curriculum statement (NCS), while newly appointed principals were inducted according to the 'induction guide for SMTs'.
In addition, all principals received a calendar to guide them on day to day management activities. To respond to this challenge and to improve the degree of school functionality, Honourable Speaker, in the new financial year we will train the remainder of the school management team members on the management of the implementation of the national curriculum statement (NCS).
We will improve the effectiveness of school principals by enrolling 130 of them in the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE): leadership course and a course on financial management.
In conjunction with the North West University, we will train all the EMGD officials on school management and administration. Improving the capability of school principals is the surest way of building management capacity and thereby improves on outcomes in learning institutions.
We have revived our "Women In and Into Leadership and Management" (WIILM) programme and will strengthen it in the new financial year. We will also intensify the school governing body (SGB) capacity building programme. To this end, R5.8 million is allocated to implement the plans for 2010/11.
(q) National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP)
As a means of improving learner retention and raising NSNP stipends; cover majority of learners in quintiles one to three schools, we received in the 2009/10 financial year R161.063 million for NSNP, with which 485 596 learners in 925 primary, 132 high and 173 small schools were fed.
These learners and schools were also supplied with utensils, cleaning materials, and 3 076 food handlers that received stipends of R600 per month.
Towards achieving our goal of expanding the NSNP to quintile three, this year the project will be expanded to include 120 quintile two high schools. The 2010/11 budget for NSNP is R249.599 million to feed all primary schools in quintiles one to three and high schools in quintiles one and two. This includes stipends to 3 349 food handlers.
In the past financial year, we spent R110 656 on vegetable gardens at schools. There are currently 424 schools with such gardens for which we trained 2 619 food handlers on nutrition education. 280 of these schools were established from our HIV and AIDS budget as part of our Schools as Centres of Care and Support programme.
Learners and care givers are already benefiting from these gardens. In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Nyetse Primary School received 35 citrus trees and four water tanks. In addition, 50 families started their own gardens. In the new financial year, we allocate R255 000 to the food gardens at schools. We will establish 60 new food gardens this year.
(r) School safety
The school safety budget allocation for 2009/10 was R2.69 million, which was utilised for training teachers:
- on behaviour modification and crime prevention
- at 40 schools on character education and
- at 40 schools on anti-bullying strategies.
We also:
- installed emergency number boards and warning signs at 262 schools
- established 842 school safety teams
- arranged for 557 to mount the Adopt–a-Cop campaign.
The 2010/11 allocation of R2.7 million to school safety will be utilised for training on crime prevention and the strengthening of crime control infrastructure. In addition, we will produce a safe school plan, which will include:
- a clear code of conduct for learners
- procedures to discipline learners putting other learners' and teachers' safety at risk
- a system of reporting learner anti-social behaviour
- the implementation of guidance and counselling services at schools
- the improvement of lines of communication
- the strengthening of the Adopt A Cop initiative
- increase parental involvement in schools.
In addition, the Department will develop guidelines on sexual harassment and violence in public schools as a way of making sure that schools have safe and supporting environments for all children.
(s) Infrastructure
In the previous financial year, infrastructure received R330.279 million with which we started the constructions of four new schools. We also provided sanitation to 32 schools at R81.552 million, boreholes at 50 schools at R11.471 million, fences at 36 schools at R6.195 million, renovations at 16 schools at R41.654 million, improvements at 20 Itireleng schools at R4.995 million and renovations at special schools at R13.2 million.
The infrastructure budget for 2010/11 is R377.333 million to be utilised as follows:
R20 million for sanitation as part of the school building programme:
- R80 million for school maintenance, eight new renovation projects and the Itireleng projects
- R377.333 million conditional grant that will be spent as follows:
- R95.426 million for 5 new schools
- Replacement of 16 mud schools for R90.175 million
- Sanitation R14.512 million at 10 additional schools
- Water projects (boreholes) R10 million at 50 schools
- R13.22 million for the upgrading of seven specials schools and the construction of two new ones
- R7 million for the completion of three education development and support centres (EDSCs)
- R29 million for new grade R classrooms
- R12 million for mobile classrooms in ordinary schools
- R6 million for libraries and laboratories
By 30 June 2010, the department will submit a plan for the rehabilitation and maintenance of schools in line with the ANC's resolution to improve school infrastructure. This will include fencing, community involvement in ensuring the security of equipment, one resource centre per district and infrastructure for adult education to reduce illiteracy with 50 percent by 2014.
(t) Information technology
In the previous financial year, EMIS received R8.456 million with which 1 387 schools were connected to the internet for management purposes. In 2010/11, EMIS receives a budget of R9.109 million for improvement, which includes intensified data collection, quality and reliable data through the South African School Administration and Management System (SASAMS).
The department will embark on a large scale SASAMS and Learner Unit Record Information Tracking System (LURITS) upload using SASAMS administrators. Not only will the project strengthen the integrity of our data, but connect and maintain internet connectivity in all our schools.
Through its e-learning strategy, the department aims at capacitating every teacher to deliver the curriculum through the usage of information and communication technology (ICT) by 2013. In this financial year, we allocate R62 000 for ICT infrastructure at all schools.
In this regard, within six months we will provide the ruling party with a clear plan upon which we will report regularly.
3. Programme three: Independent Schools (R18.693 million: 48 percent increase)
Honourable Speaker,
With a 2009/10 budget of R12.643 million, the department increased the number of subsidised independent schools from 18 to 27. This enabled us to include more schools serving learners from the poorer communities.
To meet the demands of the new school funding norms, this year we allocate R18.693 million for subsidies to independent schools.
4. Programme four: Public Special Schools and Inclusive Education
(R218.948 million: 28 percent increase)
Honourable Speaker,
In her State of the Province Address, the honourable premier observes that "Our drive to bring into the mainstream learners in special schools has to date yielded progress". In 2009/10, an allocation of R171.134 million was made to special schools and inclusive education.
This allocation was utilised for management, administration, salaries, maintenance, the establishment of full service schools and the establishment of special schools as resource Centres and the appointment of professional support staff such as psychologists and therapists.
The budget was also utilised for assistive devices, equipment and transport. In the 2010/11 financial year, special schools and inclusive education receives R218.948 million. More full service schools and special schools as resource centres will be established.
5. Programme five: Further Education and Training (FET) colleges
(R238.597 million: 25 percent increase)
Honourable Speaker,
The sector budget for 2009/10 was R190.876 million with which teaching and learning were successfully delivered at our FET colleges.
The following three curricula were offered: the National Certificate-Vocational (NCV) with an enrolment of 7 709, National Technical Education (NATED) 191 with an enrolment of 9 897 and skills programmes with, among others, the following enrolment: 585 in learnerships, nine for the level three national certificate in Jewellery Manufacturing, 132 for the fourth level FET Certificate in Early Childhood Development, 71 for the FET Certificate in Construction and 585 for the National Diploma in Automotive Repairs and Maintenance.
Other enrolments include 463 students for the music programme at Orbit, the Eduland Career Orientation programme and the training of 50 artisans at Vuselela in partnership with local government and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
The allocated funds were also spent on the generation of three research reports, institutional marketing, student support, sports and recreation, staff training and financial auditing.
With additional funding of R100 million, the department completed the recapitalisation of FET colleges, which upgraded infrastructure and supplied critical equipment.
The department issued bursaries to the value of R2.5 million for needy and disabled students enrolled in NATED and skills programmes. R21.085 million was allocated from the national students bursary scheme facilitated by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to NCV students.
In 2009, the department concluded the second phase of the Danish sponsored Support to Education and Skills Development (SESD) programme, which funded the development of systems and student support services in our FET colleges.
The R15 million provided through this project was utilised in the following key areas:
- Management quality and governance
- Sustainable linkages and partnerships
- Student support services and
- The sharing of best practice.
The Danish government is once more heartily commended for their assistance to our colleges over the past seven years. The FET sector also has its proud moments. In this regard Orbit is one of the six colleges in the country that was selected by the Department of Communications to advance ICT training and to ensure that information technology students are industry ready.
This includes a partnership with the Korean Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion (KADO). During January 2010, four Korean university graduates were deployed to Orbit to upgrade the skills of ICT lecturers.
Orbit further has a partnership with Lelethu and Ford South Africa through which, it established at the Mankwe campus, a fully equipped Automotive Maintenance and Repair Training Centre to the value of R2 million.
In terms of this partnership, 585 artisans will be trained in vehicle maintenance and repair over a period of two years. On 31 March 2010, this partnership will be launched as a sustainable best practice model of public or private partnerships in the FET college environment.
My thanks go to Lelethu and Ford South Africa.
Honourable Speaker, in his 2010 budget speech, the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Pravin Gordhan, emphasised the importance of the FET college sector as follows: "Expanding and improving capacity at our FET colleges is a vital part of our growth strategy".
The North West Education Department responds to this sentiment by allocating R238.597 million to this sector, which will be used for programme delivery, training, marketing, student support, bursaries, research and financial audits.
6. Programme six: Adult Basic Education and Training (R144.289 million: 29 percent increase)
Honourable Speaker, adult education received R111.865 million during the previous financial year. We increase the ABET centres by 18 to 290. We spent the funds on salaries for ABET tutors, assistance to other government departments, 55 learnerships for learners, textbooks and stationery.
The department instituted the pilot for the implementation of the norms and standards for funding public adult learning centres at four well established centres. With an allocation of R111.59 million, in 2010/11, the department will continue to extend learning opportunities to adults through the establishment of adult learning centres.
To improve the functionality of ABET centres; we will continue to train the centre managers. Apart from the adult education delivered in the ABET centres, the department also delivers on a myriad of skills programmes.
As was mentioned by the Honourable Premier, in the previous financial year, 987 adult learners graduated with a general education and training certificate in construction. Accredited by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), this course included skills such as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, plastering, painting and glazing.
In 2010, 841 adult learners will graduate through the same course and qualification. In April 2010, a further 810 adult learners will graduate in an Energy Sector Education Authority (ESETA) accredited course in Basic Electrical Installations and Repairs at national qualifications framework (NQF) levels one and two.
Through the Research Scientist, Council for Minerals and Technology's (MINTEK) beneficiation programme, quality assured by the Mining Qualification Authority (MQA), 80 women, of which 40 are disabled, will graduate in ceramic and pottery making in April 2010. This process recycles bottles to manufacture opaque contemporary glass beads.
At the end of the course, we help participants to register their own businesses and in this regard, we are proud to announce that four such manufacturing plants are currently operational.
In crop and animal production, quality assured by Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA), 135 beneficiaries completed learnerships and skills programmes and will graduate on 26 March 2010. 10 percent of these candidates are disabled.
In our province, we participated in the International Literacy Day celebrations and facilitated a conference during the Adult Learners' Week in September 2009. For 2010/11, we will collaborate with Kha Ri Gude, the national mass literacy campaign, which will bring us closer to our ideal of an illiteracy free province by 2012.
We established 463 literacy units where we trained 7 460 functionally illiterate adults in basic literacy and numeracy utilising 463 out of school youth members as volunteer tutors.
In 2010/11, we allocate R32.699 million for skills programmes as part of our delivery of adult education. Honourable Speaker, the total adult education budget for 2010/11 is R144.289 million.
7. Programme seven: Early Childhood Development (R209.020 million: increase of eight percent)
Honourable Speaker,
In her State of the Province Address, the premier indicates: "We have begun the process of entrenching a sustainable Early Childhood Education system that gives children a head start in numeracy and literacy".
The North West Education Department would like to endorse the Honourable Premier's announcement. It is in this light that, during the past financial year, we used R12.44 million to incorporate grade R at 743 quintile one and two primary schools affecting 31 513 learners.
To support the incorporation of Grade R further, resources were supplied as follows:
- 350 schools received indoor and outdoor equipment
- 307 schools received outdoor mathematics boxes
- 260 schools received story books
- 23 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract posts were created for 12 months for field workers and coordinators
- 312 practitioners were trained on NQF level four and 230 on NQF level five.
A further R8.388 million for subsidies was allocated to 176 ECD centres involving 233 practitioners.
During 2010/11:
- 863 schools will incorporate grade R
- 300 schools will be provided with indoor and outdoor equipment and LTSM
- 657 schools will receive educational toys
- 461 educators will be trained by the University of South Africa (UNISA)
- R5.4 million will be used for subsidies to 100 ECD centres involving 150 practitioners.
- R30.596 million will be used to pay for the NQF levels four and five training of 1020 practitioners.
The R209.02 million allocated to ECD in 2010/11 will be spent on:
- Grade R in public schools: R142.015 million
- Grade R in community schools: R9.32 million
- Pre-grade R (zero to four years old): R30.596 million
- Professional services: R2.025 million
- Human resource development: R863 000.00 and
- Conditional grant of R24 million for subsidies to practitioners.
8. Programme eight: Auxiliary and Associated Services (R76.334 million including the HIV and AIDS conditional grant of R12.912: increase of 10.5 percent)
Honourable Speaker,
Our HIV and AIDS programme manifests the practical implementation of the presidential and ministerial directives for HIV and AIDS and TB. Last year, the HIV and AIDS programme in the department received R12.912 million.
To counter the negative impact of HIV and AIDS, poverty, hunger and economic decline, the department instituted a programme for care and support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
Some of the achievements of this programme include South African Social Security Services Agency (SASSA) registrations for 1 062 child support grants, 417 foster care grants and 32 disability grants.
Collaboration with Home Affairs yielded the issuance of 854 identity documents (IDs), 1 200 birth certificates and 110 passports. We have also purchased 8 000 hygiene packs for OVCs in farm schools. Pick n' Pay food parcels are distributed weekly to needy learners in 35 Bojanala schools.
In collaboration with the Department of Social Development, we donated uniforms to Mazista Primary School. The South African Police Service (SAPS) Adopt a Cop programme was initiated in 120 schools. Through this programme, we settled four children who lived in the bushes in Maquassi Hills in proper homes.
Other achievements are the training and support in peer education for 950 learners to impart life skills and to prevent social problems such as substance abuse, teen pregnancy and suicide. Advocacy and training for effective parenting was done for 2 331 school governing bodies, principals and teachers.
From the Division of Revenue Act of 2009/10, the department received R12.912 million which was disbursed for advocacy (R493 300), training (R2 466 500), LTSM (R2.312 million), peer education (R1.603), care and support for OVCs (R4.933 million), administration (R493 300) and salaries (R577 500).
Honourable Speaker, 2010/11 will see close cooperation between our department and the Department of Health in accelerating the implementation of the HIV and AIDS strategic plan and increasing the focus on tuberculosis (TB) and other communicable diseases.
For the 2010/11 financial year, 40 percent of the R12.912 million allocation will be used for care and support. The involved schools will be increased by 20 to 300.
(a) Assessment, certification and accreditation
Motlotlegi Mmusakgotla,
Mo ngwageng wa matlotlo wa 2009/10 re ne re na le tekanyetsokabo ya dimilione di le some a supatharo (R73 million) e ka yone re kgonneng go kwadisa barutwana ba marematlou ditlhatlhobo tsa makgaolakgang ka katlego.
Monongwaga fa kgwedi ya Ferikgong e tlhola malatsi a le supa, ke fa barutwana ba, botlhe ba ba kwadileng, ba neelwa dipholo tsa bona jaaka go ne go rulagantswe. Mo tekanyetsokabong e ke sa tswang go e umaka, bokana ka dimilione di le some a mane (R40 million) di ne tsa dirisetswa go duela barutabana le botlhe ba ba neng ba thusa mo tsamaisong ya go kwadisa le go tshwaya dipampiri tsa ditlhatlhobo.
Kwa ntle ga ditlhatlhobo tse tsa marematlou, go kwadisitswe gape ditlhatlhobo tse pedi tsa kemo ya bone tsa baithuti ba bagodi (ABET level four). Tsona di kwadilwe ngogola ka dikgwedi tsa Diphalane le Ngwanatsele. Barutwana ba kereiti ya borobongwe le bona ba ne ba kwala Ditirotshwano tsa Tekanyetso (CTA) ka katlego.
Mo go ipaakanyetseng kwalo ya ditlhatlhobo tsa makgaolakgang, lefapha le ne la thusa barutwana ba marematlou ka go ba romelela dipampiri tsa ditlhatlhobo tsa dingwaga tse di fetileng le dimemorantamo tsa tsona, dipegelo tsa bofelo jwa ngwaga tsa batlhatlhobi le ditlhatlhobokaedi tsa dirutwa.
Ka kgwedi ya Tlhakole le ya Mopitlwe go tla bo go kwalwa ditlhatlhobotlaleletso go tokafatsa dipholo tsa barutwana ba go ya ka melao e e beilweng go letlelesegang gore ba ka kwala.
Barutwana botlhe ba ba sa kgonang go falola mo ditlhatlhobong tsa kharikhulamo ya maloba ba sa ntse ba letlelewa go ka feleletsa le go kwala ditlhatlhobo tse, mo dingwageng tse pedi tse, e leng 2010 le 2011. Ba ba tla kwalang monongwaga ba tla bo ba kwala magareng ga dikgwedi tsa Moranang le Seetebosigo.
Mo tekanyetsokabong ya ngwaga wa matlotlo wa 2010/11 go tswa mo dimilioneng di le some-asupatlhano (R75 million) tse di neetsweng, go tlile go dirwa tse di latelang:
- kwadiso ya ditlhatlhobo tsa marematlou
- go tshwara dikopano tsa go tlhatlhelela ka ga tsamaiso le kwadiso ya ditlhatlhobo
- go romela dipampiri tsa ditlhatlhobo le dimemorantamo, dipegelo le ditlhatlhobokaedi kwa dikolong
- kwadiso ya ditlhatlhobo-ipaakanyetso tsa Lwetse mo dirutweng di le somepedi tsa kônokôno
- kwadiso ya ditlhatlhobo tsa bofelo jwa ngwaga tsa Dikereiti 10 le 11 mo dikolong tse di dirang bokoa mo ditlhatlhobong tsa marematlou
- kwadiso ya ditlhatlhobo tsa bagodi ya kemo ya 4 (ABET level four).
(b) Job creation
Honourable Speaker,
Although I may have already mentioned many of our job creation activities earlier in this speech, in the light of government's job creation drive let me re-emphasise some of our efforts and share others with you.
In addition to the 879 ECD practitioners who receive stipends whilst in training, our FET college sector, through learnerships and with a budget of R568 004, also employs 20 students that completed N6. At Tlokwe and Matlosana municipalities respectively, we upgrade 52 of our levels four and five students, providing them with stipends equal to R715 000 in total.
With R4 million, at our FET colleges, we involve 87 ESKOM employees in apprenticeships and trade testing. We upgrade the skills of 30 employees that were retrenched by the defence force at R960 000 and 11 Uranium One employees at R550 000. We also offer apprenticeships to six Simmer and Jack employees to the value of R300 000
We provide jobs to unemployed youth as follows:
- 11 candidates in the DBSA project at R550 000
- 50 candidates in the New Venture Creations project for R1.65 million
- 100 candidates in the Bakgatla ba Kgafela project for R1 million
- 13 candidates in jewellery manufacturing and design at R193 700
- 11 candidates in cosmetology at R312 400
- 24 candidates in hairdressing R199 200.
It is interesting to note that our FET colleges are going to create websites to enable students to search for jobs and avail themselves for the job market. As mentioned earlier, our NSNP includes the payment of 8 695 stipends to food handlers at R600 per month.
We employ 1 700 tutors in our ABET centres, pay stipends of R1 500 per month to 60 ABET practitioners enrolled in a learnership, four centre managers and 425 unemployed youth that tutor in our literacy units.
Under our Human Resource Development programme, we train 80 candidates in an ECD NQF level six learnership with a stipend of R2 935 per month for ten months. Another 60 unemployed matriculants will be placed at schools for ten months in a community development learnership.
They will receive a monthly stipend of R1 500. Unemployed youth with a post-matric qualification are appointed in an internship for one year to provide them with experiential learning related to their qualification. They receive a stipend of R2 935 per month.
(c) Educational transformation
- Schweizer Reneke High School
The transformation of Schweizer Reneke Hoërskool took place with effect from 13 January 2010. The transformation process was a culmination of consultation meetings with stakeholders from the Schweizer Reneke community.
Learners admitted are 49 and 38 in grade eight and nine respectively. These learners have already participated in the school athletics meeting.
- Vuselela College
During the past year, at Vuselela FET College, the department facilitated a transformation process involving the college and external stakeholders. From this process, two documents emerged, namely, the Vuselela transformation framework and the Vuselela transformation framework implementation plan. The department endorses these documents and trusts that the college and its stakeholders will implement them successfully.
Conclusion
Honourable Speaker,
As I conclude, the moment is appropriate for this house to reminisce over the release of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 20 years ago. This milestone in our struggle for a just and equal society is the best moment history will record in the struggles of all oppressed peoples of the world.
It is therefore worth celebrating! When Mandela spoke at the very first opening of Parliament on 24 May 1994, he declared: "We must, constraint by and regardless of the accumulated effects of our historical burdens, seize the time to define for ourselves what we want to make of our shared destiny".
South Africa has evolved remarkably since the world's greatest statesman ascended The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa in 1994.
Honourable Speaker,
Education delivery is a shared responsibility. I therefore take this opportunity to call upon parents, teachers and learners to play their part to realise its noble goals. It is our shared destiny to put South Africa in its rightful place among the nations of the world.
My sincerest appreciation goes to my colleagues, honourable members of the provincial executive, the Speaker and the legislature, mayors and councillors, educator unions, the business community, parents and indeed all stakeholders. Your involvement continues to inspire us!
I am forever indebted to my glorious movement, the African National Congress (ANC), for affording me the opportunity to serve our nation. The greatest satisfaction a man can ever derive from life is in serving the community with commitment and the community drawing contentment from such service.
Re a Leboga!
Baie Dankie!
Thank You!
May God bless the North West province and South Africa!!
Programmes
2010/11 budget summary of the North West Education Department
2010/11 medium term expenditure framework
R,000
Programme one: Administration, R615 116
Programme two: Public Ordinary School Education, R7 529 079
Programme three: Independent School and Home Education, R18 693
Programme four: Public Special School Education, R218 948
Programme five: Further Education and Training Colleges, R238 597
Programme six: Adult Basic Education and Training, R144 289
Programme seven: Early Childhood Development, R209 020
Programme eight: Auxiliary and Associated Services, R76 334
Total: R9 050 791
Source: Department of Education, North West Provincial Government
