Honourable speaker
Honourable deputy speaker
Honourable premier
Members of the provincial legislature
The house of traditional leaders
Representatives from civil society
Non-governmental organisations
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
Honourable speaker,
The past year can only succinctly be described as a year of contrasts, a year of setbacks and progress, of extreme happiness and shattering disappointments, of exciting and shocking events in the country, and probably on the international scene as well.
Honourable speaker, we, the Department of Education, like the Quechua
Indians of Bolivia shall always look forward while simultaneously going backward. The past is in front of us. It is in front of us because we know the past and we can look at it. And the future is behind because we do not know what it brings. For this reason we move into the future, but we move backwards.
The idea of moving into the future while looking clearly into the past is something that has been lacking in all considerations about development, be it in education or alternatives to development (Tuchsneider: 1992).
It has always been my ardent belief, honourable speaker, that what Dr Martin
Luther King Jr. called the triple evils: poverty, racism and war, can only be brought down by the educational foundations we lay as a country.
Educational foundations can only be laid with our learners. Hence I subscribe to the words of Gabriela Mistral that many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time. His bones are formed. His mind developed. To him, we cannot say tomorrow. His name is today.
Honourable speaker, after fifty four years of the Freedom Charter, the 2009 election manifesto of the African National Congress (ANC) still aspires to “OPEN THE DOORS OF LEARNING”. The Manifesto expresses “education” explicitly as “the priority of all”. In the 8 January 2009 statement, the honourable Mr Zuma mentions, “We need to invest in the education of the population to be able to grow our economy and improve the socioeconomic status of our people.”
The day when parliament elected Mr Zuma as President of the Republic of South Africa, he reiterated education as one of the focal points of his new government. At his inauguration, we heard the honourable president say, “We make a commitment here and now, before the eyes of the world, that for as long as there are children who neither have the means, nor the opportunity to receive a decent education, we shall not rest, and we dare not falter.” Mr Zuma further said, “Let us build a nation filled with laughter and joy of children.” In his State of the Nation Address, Mr Zuma reiterated that that education will be a key priority for the next five years.
Honourable speaker, in his 2009 budget speech, the former Minister of
Finance, Trevor Manuel, indicates: “government’s contribution to public education remains our single largest investment, because we know it is the key to reducing poverty and accelerating long-term economic growth.” In her speech to the department of the premier, our honourable Premier, Mrs Maureen Modiselle also mentioned education as one of the five priorities of government over the next five years. During her state of the province address, she indicated a target of 20 percent improvement by 2014 in all key areas in the education sector.
There can therefore be no uncertainty about the high regard that our new government has for education. It remains the aspiration of the government to ensure the progressive realisation of universal schooling, improve the quality of education and eliminate all disparities in this regard.
Honourable speaker, on behalf of the ANC-led government, I, and the North
West Department of Education will dedicatedly implement all the above aspirations of the ruling party. Honourable speaker, we are proud of our achievements over the past fifteen years and vow to continue achieving. In his capacity as President of the ANC, Mr Jacob Zuma observes in the 8January statement, that we made significant progress in providing access to education to South Africans. He indicates that 98 percent of South Africa’s children, between seven and fifteen years old, are in school.
It is within this mind frame, honourable speaker, that I present to you the 2009/10 budget of the North West Department of Education.
A. Programme 1: Administration (R550 332 million, 7,4 percent increase)
Honourable speaker, our grip on the administrative and financial systems of this department is maturing. Our qualifications from the auditor general are becoming progressively less. We hope and trust that, this year, we will obtain a clean, unqualified audit report.
1. Departmental communication
Honourable speaker, during the previous financial year, R166 million was allocated for departmental communication. With this money, the department facilitated the MEC Service Excellence Awards, which was held in January 2009. Let me take the opportunity once again to congratulate those who won and I trust that their example will continue to foster a culture of improvement in service delivery to our learners.
Through ‘team education’, we continued to build a sound corporate identity.
The department published its events in its newspaper, Kitso Thuto, and its policies and media releases in provincial and national newspapers and magazines.
This was done in the three dominant official languages in the province. Our messages were also spread by our officials via radio talk shows and adverts.
During the current financial year, departmental communication receives a budget of R14 7 million with which it will roll out the following projects:
- Letsema campaign
- ABET career guidance campaign
- School Safety road shows
- monitoring of re-opening of schools
- interventions at Thusong centres
- the Moral Regeneration event for grades 10 and 11
- launch of departmental call centre
- competition for greening in schools
- MEC’s Public Service Excellence Awards
- Schools Regeneration campaign
- release of matric results
2. Legal advisory services
Legal advisory services received a budget of R8,3 million for the 2008/09 fiscal year. These funds were expended on administration, equipment, professional services and legal fees. In the 2009/10 financial year, the department will continue utilising legal advice and related training for employees. Legal services receives R5 million to continue with its services in the 2009/10 financial year.
3. Internal security
During the 2008/09 financial year, minimum information security services (MISS) was allocated R6,6 million, which was used to enhance physical security, document security, personnel security, information and communications technology security and other security operations. This year will see the introduction of the universal serial bus (USB) access control system in the department, which will replace the use of passwords to access computers.
During the medium term, the biometrics access system will also replace the system of access cards. The department will further introduce a paperless administration through digitisation. These security measures will not only protect information, but assist managers to monitor and control delivery in their respective sections. For 2009/10, the department allocates R3 8 million towards the implementation of the mentioned security measures.
4. Internal audit services
In the previous financial year a budget of R5,2 million was allocated to internal audit services to execute, under the watchful eye of the audit committee, the operational audit plan based on the risk assessment of the department. For the review of adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, assurance services were provided in the following programmes: infrastructure, human resource management, accounting services, the national school nutrition programme (NSNP), transfer payments and education management information system (EMIS) data collection.
Recommendations were made in this regard.
Currently, the department implements the anti fraud and corruption strategy through workshops to increase the vigilance of staff members regarding fraud and corruption. The department also continues to participate in the provincial anti corruption forum coordinated by the Office of the Premier.
In the current financial year, R4,7 million is allocated to provide assurance services in respect of the following: asset management, learner and teacher support materials (LTSM), accounting services, infrastructure, transfer payments, early childhood development and anti fraud and corruption campaigns.
B. Programme 2: Public Ordinary Schools Education (R6 846 429 million, 16,9 percent increase)
1. School funding
In the 8 January statement, Mr Zuma indicates, “The ANC will improve the access of poor South Africans to quality education by ensuring that 60 percent of schools are no fee schools this year ” The honourable premier of this province, in her state of the province address, also made a commitment along these lines. I can assure you, honourable speaker, that our department already exceeded this target by 13 percent.
2. Learner support materials
Honourable speaker,
In the 2008/09 financial year, the budget allocation for learner and teacher support materials (LTSM) was R176 million. The money was mainly used to replenish textbooks in grades R to grade three, re-supply Grade 10 textbooks according to the new national catalogue, purchase Grade 12 literature books according to the new curriculum, provide stationery for all grades, procure and replenish life sciences kits for grades nine to 12 in 461 schools, supply equipment in the learning area, technology, in 40 schools and equipment and consumables for hospitality and consumer studies for grades 10 to 12 in 137 schools.
An additional R56 million was allocated during the half yearly adjustment of the budget to top up textbooks in grades 10 to 12 where there were shortages, curriculum extensions and newly established schools. Consistent with the preferential goals of government, 15 percent of the LTSM delivery was obtained from small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs).
The department continues to implement progressively the norms and standards for school funding in its pro-poor LTSM allocation. This resulted in 35 percent of the LTSM budget in 2008/09 being spent in quintile 1 schools, and only 5 percent in quintile 5 schools.
As part of youth skills and entrepreneurship development, the department spent
R5 million of the LTSM budget on the refurbishment of school furniture by youth companies and cooperatives. For the financial year 2009/10, priority is given to the replenishment of textbooks in the intermediate phase, top ups for all grades, literature books in grade nine, technology kits for 595 schools, stationery in all the grades and consumables and equipment for technical subjects and hospitality and consumer studies. In addition, computer equipment will be provided to 17 schools that offer engineering graphic design as a subject. To achieve these goals, in this financial year, we allocate R300 million and an additional R10 million for school furniture.
3. Educator remuneration
In the 8 January statement, Mr Zuma indicates, “We must continue our efforts to promote the status of teachers and improve their remuneration”. During
2008, the minister of education declared policy, which provides for incentives to academically qualified educators. According to this policy, departments of education can recruit and retain the right quantity and quality of educators.
During the 2008/09 financial year, the department allocated R34,8 million for the implementation of the first phase of this policy. This money was spent on incentives to 3 076 educators at 320 schools in quintiles 1 2 and 3. An amount of R37,27 million for the year 2009/10 is allocated for the payment of incentives to educators. To attract and retain educators, during the previous financial year, R167,3 million was spent on the occupation specific dispensation, and in this financial year, it receives R389,4 million, which includes a laptop allowance to teachers.
5. Staffing
To address the challenge of chronic vacancies, we commissioned a functional analysis of the departmental staffing structure, which reduced our number of posts with 244. We are currently matching and placing all employees affected by the new structure. To reduce the number of temporary posts and enhance job security, the department advertised 1 500 posts for teachers effective from 1 July 2009. This will also increase employment stability in our system. In addition to thirty eight curriculum specialist posts already filled, another thirty eight are to be filled effective from 1 July 2009. During this financial year, 363 administrative assistants will be appointed at Quintiles 1 and 2 schools to the amount of R35 million.
6. Labour relations
Honourable speaker, in his state of the nation address, the honourable Jacob
Zuma expresses the following concern, “we are very concerned about reports of teachers who sexually harass and abuse children, particularly girls. We will take very serious, and very decisive, action against any teachers who abuse their authority and power by entering into sexual relationships with children”.
Honourable speaker, last year, I already cautioned in this regard and I am happy to register some improvement. During 2008/09, cases of sexual misconduct constitute only 10,3 percent of all reported cases which, compared to previous years, registers a drastic decline. This year, we will reduce such cases significantly.
There is, however, an increase in cases of insubordination (18,6 percent), absconding (18,6 percent), financial misconduct (17,5 percent) and absenteeism (9,8 percent). 193 out of 261 reported cases of misconduct were finalised, which leaves only 68 outstanding. Twenty four out of the fifty disputes that were reported to the General Public Services Sectoral Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) and the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) were finalised, which leaves 26 outstanding. Out of the twenty four finalised cases, the department won ten. Five were lost, five settled and three withdrawn.
7. Staff development
Honourable speaker, the election manifesto of the ruling party, once again, places a high priority on skills development. In view of this, the department availed R46,2 million for human resource development. As part of our commitment to quality learner achievement, service delivery and youth employability, we provided training workshops, skills programmes, learnerships and internships to both our employees and the unemployed.
Supporting the implementation of the national curriculum, in 2008, the
Department trained educators as follows: 130 completed the two year Advanced
Certificate in Education (ACE) for Mathematical Literacy at the North West
University, another 130 started this same course in 2008, 46 are currently enrolled in the Sediba Mathematics and Science project, 123 are enrolled at the University of the Free State for their second year of the ACE for Mathematics, Science and Technology, 2000 completed the ACE in Curriculum and Professional
Development and 100 upgraded their qualifications through the National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE).
The National Department of Education funded the training of 120 principals who completed examinations in the ACE School Leadership, which was a pilot project. This year, our province will fund this cohort’s second year of study. The department further enrolled 38 institutional support coordinators (ISCs) for the
Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Management. From June 2008 to May 2009, we employed 80 unemployed youth members as interns. Thirteen already left to take advantage of available employment. The department also trained 25 learners (employed and unemployed) on a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level four Public Sector Accounting Learnership, which was completed in November 2008 and we are awaiting the final results in this regard.
382 bursaries valued at R1,8 million were awarded to employees for their professional development. The Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) complemented this number with a further 33 bursaries. In April 2008, 50 employees were enrolled in a Human Resources Management Learnership, which ended in May 2009. 550 employees between salaries levels nine and 12 were trained on financial management for non-financial managers and 44 senior and middle managers received Khaedu training.
In the 2009/10 financial year, we will continue training our staff members, particularly on the content of all learning areas, learning programmes and subjects across all bands of the curriculum. We will also offer focussed training for the disabled and institutionalise mentorship training and coaching programmes. Bursaries will also be allocated appropriately.
Across all salary levels, public service employees will be provided with skills and knowledge relevant to their competencies and job descriptions. School principals will be reinforced in regard to education legislation, management capacity and monitoring of curriculum implementation while grade R educators will receive focussed training. Short courses on curriculum delivery will be done in the areas of: classroom management, learner assessment and lesson planning. There will be induction and reorientation for all newly appointed staff.
We will further facilitate relevant retraining for educators and support staff who are declared in addition to capacitate them for their new positions. We will heighten our education recognition programme to ensure that excellence is duly rewarded. In response to the provincial growth and development strategy, we will develop the provincial and departmental human resource strategies in conjunction with all stakeholders. For the 2009/10 financial year, we allocate R66,2 million for staff development.
8. Employee wellness
In accordance with our Employee Health and Wellness programme, we trained 210 employees as peer educators, 25 public service officials in fire fighting and 21 in first aid. We launched and implemented a ‘Know Your Status’ campaign during our departmental HIV and AIDS day, the fitness day and the condom week. In 2009/10, a debt counselling programme will be introduced to a thousand employees.
9. Curriculum Delivery
Honourable speaker,
9.1. Further education and training (FET)
In the 2008/09 budget, FET curriculum services received R3,6 million, which was fully utilised. During 2008, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) was implemented in grade 12 for the first time. During the first semester of 2008, the National Department of Education trained 256 subject advisors on the new content. Subsequently, during afternoons and over weekends, the subject advisors trained all teachers on the content of the 29 new subjects. A second phase of the training of subject advisors is being done during the first semester of 2009.
Honourable speaker, with an allocation of R3,3 million, in 36 centres across the province, we successfully assisted 6008 learners who were not successful in the
2007 grade 12 examinations. This support was necessitated because the 2007 matric examinations were the last of their kind under the old curriculum. This year, grade 12 will receive new set works and, in conjunction with the North
West University, the department will train relevant educators in this regard.
Study guides and support materials will be supplied in subjects where learners underperformed.
As part of the Focus Schools project, the department provided five agricultural science schools with equipment to the value of R3 million. Also, to promote music in the province, we have registered, in Klerksdorp, a special school called North West Musikon, which specialises in the mastering of musical instruments. This project receives a budget of R2,3 million.
This year, in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering of North West University, the department is exploring the possibility of establishing a SETH academy in Potchefstroom. The academy will develop skills for prospective engineers and technicians. This year, the National Department of Education initiates the recapitalisation of technical high schools, which will rollout in the medium term. In the next financial year, funds will be allocated to the provinces for this purpose. Our province will prioritise the needy schools.
For the 2009/10 financial year, an amount of R7,6 million is allocated for the implementation of the FET curriculum in our schools. Using a part of this allocation, we have already developed technology lesson plan exemplars and assessment tasks as part of the National Teacher In-Service Training programme, which was held at the Cape Peninsula University. Similarly, we trained arts and culture specialists on curriculum adaptation for learners with barriers to learning.
9.2 The General Education and Training (GET)
In 2008/09, R5,7 million was allocated to GET services, which was spent on the
Foundations for Learning campaign and the training of curriculum support teams and teachers.
With regards to the Foundations for Learning Campaign, the department developed training manuals and used them to train subject advisors. The department also printed assessment frameworks and distributed them to schools. Also, as part of this project, the department established steering committees in the districts, area project offices (APOs) and schools. At the end of 2008, learners from grades one to six wrote an external final examination. In these examinations, the national Department of Education set the papers on languages, literacy, mathematics and numeracy. It was further only in our province that the grade six learners wrote external papers in all other learning areas.
During this financial year, with an allocation of R1 million, we will strengthen the Foundations for Learning campaign through monitoring, mentoring and resource provisioning in the form of vocabulary and writing charts, flash cards, playing cards, posters, measurement charts and geometric shapes and graphs. The department will, for all teachers, run content workshops in all learning areas.
In special schools, the department will infuse curriculum adaptation principles aligned to national curriculum policies. This year, R5,4 million is allocated to GET services.
9.3 Learner attainment implementation plan (LAIP)
Honourable speaker, in his 2009 state of the nation address, the honourable
Motlanthe observes, “Trends in performance, both in terms of teaching and learning, show a worrying persistence of the social divisions of the past”.
This is a reality that the North West Education department would like to acknowledge and address. It is for this reason, honourable speaker, that the department introduced and stressed intensely our LAIP. This LAIP is mostly focussed on our underperforming schools, which, as the former president alludes to, are mostly rural, black and poverty stricken.
To speak to this highly unwarranted situation, in 2008/09, we allocated R14 million to learner attainment. The funds were used for educator development, study guides, vacation classes, photocopy machines, capacity building at first time matric schools and sessions of enriched learning for gifted learners. 45 of the 168 schools mentored by senior managers of the department moved from underperformance to performance above 70 percent including 100 percent. Of the eight schools that offered matric for the first time, in 2008, only three performed below 60 percent, which was our benchmark for underperformance.
Honourable speaker, we have reason to believe that our LAIP is paying off. Our matric results improved by 0,8 percent, which registered an improvement in one of only four provinces. Even the national pass rate dropped. It is also worthwhile to mention that North West is the only province whose results improved for three consecutive years. It is therefore logical that we will carry on with the implementation of LAIP.
In the 2009/10 financial year, the department will continue with educator development workshops in trapped subjects, particularly at trapped schools and those offering matric for the first time. Educators will be trained on curriculum content, assessment and teaching methodologies. Educators who will teach in vacation schools will receive a stipend. These educators will be accompanied by educators from trapped schools who will be observing good practices in the teaching of their respective subjects. Study guides and other relevant teaching aids will be topped up. We will also provide language training for teachers on the new literature and run writing and speaking competitions for learners.
In 2009/10, the reviewed LAIP will also focus on the GET band to prepare learners to cope in higher classes. In this financial year, R41,5 million is allocated to the improvement of learner attainment.
10. Rural education
Honourable speaker, the honourable Kgalema Motlanthe said in his 2009 state of the nation address, “Ironically, precisely where education is most needed to help break the cycle of poverty, is where infrastructure, administrative and teacher capacity are least impressive”. One of the reasons why this is so, honourable speaker, is the prevalence of small, ineffective schools in rural areas. It is very difficult to resource the small rural schools effectively.
During 2008/09, we spent R3 million on farm and rural schools.
11. School enrichment (sport, arts and culture)
Honourable speaker, with an allocation of 12,5 million, in 2008/09, we promoted mass participation and intensified cooperation with other government departments and stakeholders in various sporting and cultural events. The department facilitated inter school competition in cross country, netball, athletics, farm learners’ sport, girl learners’ sport, sport for learners with special educational needs and summer games such as cricket, softball, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, chess, baton twirling, wheelchair basketball, hockey and rugby. We also engaged learners in choral music and cultural performances such as dramatised poetry and indigenous folklore.
Our province participated in the South African Schools’ Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) where it was clear that the development of educators and learners in opera is paying off. The spread of achievement in the 2008 provincial SASCE championship bears testimony in this regard. Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati won solo soprano, Dr Kenneth Kaunda tenor, Bojanala Bass solo and Ngaka Modiri Molema soprano.
Honourable speaker, I would like to congratulate the 2008 provincial tenor solo champion and national runner-up, Neo Brian Monaisa, of Thuto-Boswa High School in Ventersdorp. Congratulations also go to Tshegofatso Ntokwe of Tygerkloof Secondary for exceptional performance in opera.
In addition to the eight netball girls of 2007 and the 13 of 2008 who received bursaries to pursue degree studies at South African universities, honourable speaker, I announce that a further six netball girls are awarded bursaries in 2009. 27 netball girls from our province who went through our school enrichment programmes are currently studying at various universities utilising the same scholarship.
In December 2008, Tshepang Khumalo from Phokeng accompanied the national under 19 netball squad on a tour to Britain. All universities in the country, with an interest in netball, were rushing to sign her up, but ultimately the best bidder was the University of Free State where she currently studies.
The girls’ wheelchair basketball team was crowned the 2008 champions. Two of our girl learners, Malebo Mokaleng and Dineo Mosime, from Tlamelang Special
School, are selected for the girls development squad who will represent our country internationally. Tshepang Masibi of Tlamelang is selected for the national boys’ squad.
Honourable speaker, still on physically disabled sport, Tezna Abrahams from the International School of South Africa (ISSA) achieved one bronze, one silver and two gold medallions, and, at the same time, shattered four South African records in swimming. The young prospective Olympian, Hardus Louw of Ferdinand Postma High, displayed a glorious performance by accumulating three gold and one silver medal at the national school swimming championships.
At the national athletics, the North West obtained fourth position in the primary and fifth in the secondary schools events respectively. In the primary athletics event, we won a total of 22 medals: four gold, 12 silver and six bronze. Megan Menin broke the 80 meter record and was identified as seventh among the top 50 athletes in the country. At the national secondary schools athletics, we obtained a total of 27 medals: eight gold, 11 silver and eight bronze with Tazmin Britz rated sixth amongst the top 50 athletes.
Honourable speaker, the department organised a successful North West
Schools’ Football Confederations Cup competition and a massive number of 866 teams from the 490 Schools participated in the event. The champions who represented us at the national event of 29 April to 4 May, in Gauteng, are Redibone Middle School in both under 14 boys and girls, Itlotleng Middle School in the under 18 girls and Eletsa Secondary in the under 18 boys.
Madam speaker let me report that Eletsa High School from Letlhabile in Brits became the national champions in the under 18 boys School’s Football Confederations Cup. This achievement was gained amidst tough competition, which includes the South African Football Association (SAFA) Transnet School of Excellence from Gauteng.
We adopted the United States of America (USA) in the FIFA Confederations Cup
Adopt a Nation programme. The eliminations of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be implemented between July 2009 and February 2010. R2 million is allocated to the implementation of this elimination process.
To provide for the 2009/10 school sports programme, we allocate R11,1 million for school enrichment. An additional allocation of R2 million is made to transfer the responsibilities for the eisteddfod from national to the province.
12. School library and media services
Honourable speaker, during 2008/09, R3,7 million was allocated for school library and multimedia services. Through Library Week, World Book Day and
Literacy Week, the department promoted a culture of reading amongst large masses of learners. We also purchased stationery, books, six trolley libraries for farm schools and audio-visual equipment. We trained staff on the online library processing system, PALS.
This year, we will purchase library resources for rural and disadvantaged schools, conduct seminars for teacher librarians, promote a culture of reading and lifelong learning and continue with our training on PALS. To achieve our goals for the year, R4,1 million is allocated to school library and multi-media services.
The special intervention for mathematics, science and technology education
Honourable speaker, during the 2008/09 financial year, the special intervention for mathematics, science and technology received R21,8 million. This allocation was partly responsible for the Dinaledi schools exceeding their target of contributing 20 percent to the provincial pass rate in mathematics and science, which were 39 percent and 38 percent respectively. At these schools, we have trained 125 physical science and 135 mathematics educators.
To encourage the school to higher levels of excellence and involve the community, in 2008, the Department of Arts and Culture, in association with
Departments of Education and Science and Technology, involved the Dinaledi School, Tigerkloof, in its Historical Schools Restoration project. We increased the Dinaledi School’s from sixty one to seventy one, refurbished twenty two school laboratories, supplied 162 primary schools with science kits and supplied all high schools with chemicals and mathematics kits. This year, the Girl Learner Intervention programme (GLIP) will involve 2 400 girls between Grades seven and 12 in eighteen centres across the province.
The revision mathematical literacy manual that we supplied to schools contributed towards the above average provincial performance of 83 percent in mathematical literacy. The special intervention for mathematics, science and technology continues, because the manifesto indicates that the ruling party will enhance the quality of schooling, particularly performance in mathematics, science and technology. Our mandate in this regard is therefore clear.
13. Whole school evaluation
With an allocation of R14,2 million in the 2008/09 financial year, we evaluated twenty eight schools. These schools were appropriately assisted with developmental processes. In 2009/10, R16 million will be used to evaluate forty schools.
13.1 Systemic evaluation
The systemic evaluation report launched by the national minister last year, shows, at the grade three level, an improvement of six percent and four percent respectively in literacy and numeracy. For the year 2008/09, R2,2 million was allocated for systemic evaluation. In May 2009, a report was released sharing with education stakeholders critical areas for intervention. This year, systemic evaluation receives an allocation of R3 million.
With a budget of R11 million, the Quality Improvement, Development and
Support programme (QIDS UP) provided 200 no fee farm and rural schools with readers, library books and numeracy and science kits. This year, we will use R11 million to resource 200 quintile one and two primary schools across the province. The resources include the provision of break through to literacy packages for the foundation phase, encyclopaedias, photocopiers, folks and fairy tale books, the handbook on management to each school and numeracy and science kits.
As part of our scientific approach and the importance of evaluating the health of the entire system, in February 2010, the North West Education
Department will convene an international policy review conference to determine the effect of substantive policies on our system.
14. Education management governance and development (EMGD)
In the 2008/09 financial year, R2,7 million was allocated for EMGD activities, which was mainly used for training and development. Newly appointed school management teams were inducted through the Induction Guide for School
Management Teams (SMTs), which was distributed to all schools. To generate ideas and share good practice, a provincial conference for primary school principals ‘Excellent School Management: the Cornerstone for Successful School Reform and Curriculum Delivery’ was held, which was attended by 206 principals and 93 departmental officials.
To strengthen principals’ curriculum orientation, the department, in collaboration with the national department, held a five day workshop on the NCS for school managers, which was attended by 60 members of school management and 60 officials. A hundred and twenty principals from our province are currently completing their final year in the national ACE on school leadership.
Honourable speaker, we trained four hundred and five teacher liaison officers (TLOs) and 2 525 members of representative councils for learners (RCLs). In this regard, we issued schools from eighth grade upward with a training manual for TLOs and RCLs. R163 295 was spent on training the parent components of school governing bodies (SGBs) in the following areas: roles and responsibilities, legislative framework, school marketing and financial management.
Honourable speaker, as promised in the previous budget speech, the regulations for SGBs were finalised and the 2009 SGB elections will be conducted accordingly. On 29 May, I launched the 2009 SGB elections that occur during June and July.
The honourable Premier, Maureen Modiselle, in her state of the province address, stressed effective school governance and management as important factors in increasing learner achievement. She indicates that “government shall continue to implement a programme to train and increase the skills levels of parents serving in school governing bodies”. She further concurs with the president of the country that “The role of school principals is central to the success of government’s intervention in making our schools work”.
We allocate R3 million to management training in this financial year. Over the next few weeks, we will induct 9 120 newly elected SGB members and 2 000 newly appointed members of senior school management teams. Through workshops, training is provided to 1 824 members of the school SMTs on school management, 500 women in and into leadership and management, 60 EMGD and other officials on management and governance, 36 480 members of SGBs on their applicable legislative framework and financial management, and 3 150 members of RCLs and TLOs. In addition, we are conducting research on how primary schools should develop leaders.
15. National School Nutrition programme
Honourable Speaker,
The National School Nutrition programme (NSNP) was allocated R148 million for the 2008/09 financial year with which 415 567 learners were fed for five days a week at R1,50 per learner per day. Historically disadvantaged and unemployed women were contracted to render the service.
To date, 365 school vegetable gardens have been established and sustained in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Department of Health, Media in Education Trust, Agricultural Research Council and local communities. Cooperating with the Department of Agriculture, we have issued seeds and 300 sets of gardening implements to poverty-stricken communities.
In this regard, we also conducted soil tests. In addition, we capacitated 458 educators, 628 learners and 331 community members on food production. The department established two sweet potato nurseries respectively at Mokasa Primary and Rebone Sediba Intermediate schools in Greater Taung. In the Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, we implemented the Dryharts Community Vegetable project, which involved community members of the Dryharts village supported by Dr Arican Wells, a United States peace corps volunteer who raised R75 000 from the United States government for a borehole at the local primary school.
This secured a steady water source for the school, garden and the broader community. Since the implementation of the borehole, the garden supplied enough vegetables to feed orphans and learners and their families in the village.
To generate funds for garden implements, the school sold surplus vegetables to staff members and the community. I would like to thank Dr Wells for his constructive contribution.
For the future, honourable speaker, we note that the honourable Premier promised, in her state of the province address, that we will provide all learners with nutritious meals. This is in line with the aspirations of the manifesto, which indicates that the feeding scheme will be extended into all deserving high schools and the implementation thereof will be improved in all primary schools.
Responding to this aspiration, as from 15 April 2009, the NSNP was extended to 148 high schools in quintile one and all combined and intermediate schools. This means, at a cost of R2,35 per learner per day, 56 794 additional learners now benefit from the scheme. Because the NSNP became school-based, the department conducted advocacy meetings with principals to inform them about the extension. The department also bought utensils for 148 secondary schools. For the financial year 2009/10, the allocation for school feeding is R161 million and the tariff improved from R1,50 to R1,75 per learner per day.
16. School safety
Honourable speaker, last year’s allocation of R2 5 million was utilised for the implementation of the following interventions: the Hlayiseka Early Warning Systems project at 34 schools, the Crises Preparedness and Emergency Evacuation project at 27 schools and, in conjunction with the Department of Social Development, the Anti-Substance Abuse and Bullying Campaign at 331 schools.
We installed emergency number boards and warning signs at 265 schools. Through the Adopt a Cop programme, two hundred and nine police officers adopted schools. The department added 274 school safety teams to the existing 442, which brings the number of teams to a total of 716.
We engaged the Sports Coaches Outreach project (SCORE) in our Sports for Development project. Their involvement assisted with countering the ever-growing violence in schools and provided the opportunity to use sport as a vehicle to transform schools and communities into child-friendly environments.
In the beginning of 2009, the department undertook school safety road shows to complement a safety and security audit in schools. For the 2009/10 financial year, the budget allocated to school safety is R3,6 million.
17. Learner transport
The Department of Education conducted needs analyses on learner transport in the province and provided the information to the Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety for the procurement of services in this regard. To date, about 26 658 learners in the province benefit from the subsidised bus services. In addition, 19 000 bicycles were supplied to learners. 17 000 learners are currently without state provided transport. In line with an EXCO decision, the budget for learner transport is located with the Department of Transport,
Roads and Community Safety; there is therefore, no allocation within the budget of the Department of Education for this function.
18. Infrastructure
In the 2008/09 financial year, infrastructure received R240 million, of which R40 million was used for the construction of four new schools, R21 million for sanitation at 40 schools, R5 million for fencing 40 schools, R22 million for renovating 10 schools, R30 million for the Itireleng project implemented at 20 schools, R5 million for providing clean water to 50 schools and R83 million for supplying mobile classrooms to 600 schools.
During the 2009/10 financial year, R325 million is allocated to infrastructure, of which R63 million will be used for the construction of four new schools, R15 million for sanitation facilities at 30 schools, R60 million for the upgrading of dilapidated schools, R6,4 million for fencing at 40 schools, R6,4 million for the provisioning of water at 50 schools, R23 million for the Itireleng project implemented at 30 schools, R32 million for the renovation of 12 schools, R29 million for mobile classrooms for grade R at 140 schools, R15 million for a hundred mobile classrooms, R8 million for nine education development and support centres (EDSCs), R13 million for the renovation of special schools, R8 million for renovations at FET colleges and R12 million for school maintenance.
19. Information technology
In the 2008/09 financial year, information technology (IT) and the EMIS Improvement project received R8,4 million. We trained teachers at 1000 schools and uploaded 497 databases into National Learner Unit Record Information and Tracking System (LURITS). At the same time, we connected 1 000 schools to the internet for purposes of management. We trained all EDSC managers as master trainers and, in turn, they started training educators.
In her state of the province, the honourable Maureen Modiselle, indicates that the province will “ensure that each school has access to Information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure”. To respond to this commitment, in the 2009/10 financial year, we will revamp the departmental website, upload another 1 271 databases into LURITS and connect 716 schools to the Internet.
C. Programme 3: Independent schools and home education (R12 643 million, 72 percent increase)
Honourable speaker, during the 2008/09 financial year, the allocation for subsidies to 18 independent schools was R7,3 million. The allocation for 2009/10 is R12,6 million, with which an additional nine schools will be subsidised in line with our newly promulgated provincial regulations contained in Provincial Gazette extraordinary of 30 July 2008.
D. Programme 4: Publics Schools education (R171,134 million, 24, 3percent increase)
The Honourable premier, Mrs Maureen Modiselle, prioritises, in her state of the province address, the establishment of full service schools to increase access to schooling for disabled learners. She also indicates that the strengthening of specials schools will continue.
Honourable speaker, in 2008/09, special schools and inclusive education received an allocation of R137 million. With this amount, we provided assistive devices, equipment, and transport subsidies to learners, nine new vehicles, general maintenance, renovations, salaries, hostel subsidies and bursaries. We also introduced the screening, identification, assessment and support strategy (SIAS). We converted three ordinary schools into full service schools and three special schools into resource centers.
In the 2009/10 financial year, special schools and inclusive education receive
R171,1 million for salaries, management, administration, maintenance, subsidies, bursaries, transport (additional eight vehicles), assistive devices and the establishment of full service schools and resource centers. The building of a new special school and renovations to Twelelopele High School that started in 2008 will be completed. We will also appoint psychologists, therapists and other professional support staff.
E. Programme five: Further education and training (FET) colleges (190,698 million, 24,5 percent increase)
Honourable speaker, in his 8 January Statement, Mr Zuma indicates that the ANC will place FET colleges at the centre of a popular drive to transfer skills to our people. In his state of the nation address these sentiments were reiterated, “We have to ensure that training and skills development initiatives in the country respond to the requirements of the economy. The further education and training sector with its fifty colleges and 160 campuses nationally will be the primary site for skills development training”.
Also our premier indicates in her state of the province address that we will increase the student intake in the FET college sector. Honourable speaker, to respond effectively to this mandate and increase access to our institutions, this year, we are implementing the norms and standards for FET Funding, which increases our allocation to the colleges remarkably.
Nationally, a bargaining council for FET was established within the Education
Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and, provincially, in February 2009, the department established an employers’ organisation. We also ensured the re-election of councils. On 31 March 2009, the conditional grant for the recapitalisation of FET colleges ended. In terms of this grant, the North West colleges received R118,2 million over the past three years. This money was fully spent in line with the approved business plans, which included infrastructure development at all three colleges.
Honourable speaker, on the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the
ANC, the president, in his statement, mentions that 140 000 students benefited from the National Student Financial Aids Scheme (NSFAS) throughout South
Africa.
In the North West, Honourable speaker, during the 2008/09 financial year, students received bursaries worth R126,6 million to participate in the National
Certificate Vocational (NCV) programme. In addition, the province availed R5 million for bursaries to enable students to complete courses in the old curriculum. Honourable speaker, the department conducted an external audit of the annual transfers to colleges. The findings were generally positive; however, the few weaknesses were discussed with colleges and plans are underway to address problem areas. We also produced a document on the history of the FET sector in our province.
During January and February this year, we completed two studies: One on the impact of colleges and the other on the reasons for poor performance in engineering. We further produced a concept document on the realignment of the FET College directorate to the FET Act of 2006. Honourable speaker, through a partnership with the Department of Communications, we provided access for students to the internet and trained lecturers in this regard at Orbit Colleges.
The training entails competence in ICT, networking and a course on Microsoft Operation System Certified Trainers. Through this partnership, Orbit College established a CISCO Networking Academy and a Microsoft IT Academy at the Rustenburg Campus. There are currently 290 students enrolled in the IT Academy.
In partnership with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA
(MERSETA), Lelethu Training and Ford South Africa, Orbit College established the Mi-Grade Automotive Training Centre at Mankwe campus. With regards to this partnership, industry donated equipment for the project and class fees for 500 students over the next two years. The first 80 students enrolled in this programme on 9 March 2009.
With a visit to Japan in September 2008, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Orbit College advanced her jewellery project by visiting jewellery industrial sites and training institutions. In the first week of March 2009, a representative from the South African Embassy in Japan visited Orbit College to explore exchange programmes between the college and Japan. Through a partnership with the Department of Correctional Services, Orbit College trained inmates on critical skills.
Orbit College did the department proud by achieving one bronze and three gold awards at the annual MEC Awards. The college also achieved a bronze award at the annual Premier’s Award function.
Honourable speaker, based on its 2007 academic performance, which reflected fifth place nationally, Vuselela College is regarded as one of the ten best FET colleges in the country. This college has an accredited trade test centre in Klerksdorp (Stilfontein). In partnership with Telkom, Vuselela offers a course on electronic connectivity. One of its successful programmes is the training of Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners.
For the delivery of a variety of courses, the college has partnerships with the following entities: South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Electricity Supplies Commission (ESCOM), Anglo Gold Ashanti, Simmer and Jack, the Development Bank of South Africa, local governments, the Youth Commission and engineering Companies.
To enable Taletso College to offer the NCV Level four in 2009, each campus was equipped with a second simulating facility built from the recapitalisation funds. During 2008, 85 lecturers were trained in preparation for the NCV Level four courses. Taletso College employed sign language interpreters who attended classes with the students. As part of the subject, Agribusiness, Taletso College implemented the Primary Agriculture programme in Lichtenburg, through which the college produced vegetables, chickens and eggs. These were sold to local shops and the local community. Together with partners, Taletso College engaged in a cattle beneficiation project. Taletso College re-certified their quality management
1. System through the South African Bureau of Standards
Honourable speaker, the biggest challenge that we face regarding the FET sector is the rapid increase in enrolment. The student numbers at Orbit College, for example, doubled from 2008 to 2009. We will have to plan thoroughly to accommodate all the expected students over the next few years.
This year, our allocation to the FET college sector is R190,7 million of which, amongst others, R900 000 will be spent on bursaries for National Assembly Training and Education (NATED) courses, R600 000 on student support, R44 million on learnerships, marketing, advocacy and youth employment, and R2,1 million on artisan skills programmes.
F. Programme 6: Adult basic education and training (R111,865 million, 1,5 percent increase)
Honourable speaker, honourable members, in the 8 January statement the president Africa is free of illiteracy by 2014”. In this regard, we are making progress in our province. Functional literacy in the North West has improved from 57,1 percent in 1996 to 66 percent in 2007. It is in this light that we report that we continue to expand the provision of adult basic education and training (ABET) through public adult learning centres. In the beginning of 2009, the number of centres increased by 34, from 255 to 289. We also assisted other government departments to establish ABET centres and literacy programmes.
In partnership with the Youth Commission and ETDP-SETA, we offered the 480 ABET learnerships to qualify participants as ABET practitioners. In the first year, such learners receive a stipend of R625 per month and in the second year, R1 250. These learners are matriculates recruited from rural and impoverished communities. A hundred and fifty learners completed the programme and 430 are currently enrolled. We provided 48 564 textbooks to all ABET level four learners.
Honourable speaker, from April 2009 and within the allocated budget, we implement the norms and standards for funding public adult learning centres in four pilot centres. In this regard, funds are transferred directly into the accounts of the centres, which will account officially for their spending.
Honourable speaker, during 2008, a hundred and fifty ABET educators were trained as assessors, 20 as moderators and a hundred and fifty as coaches and mentors. Forty two centre managers were trained on financial and project management. We developed a learner attainment improvement plan for ABET.
Honourable speaker, in 2008/09, rural development received R36 million, which was mostly spent on training. On 13 March 2009, 987 adult learners graduated at national qualification framework (NQF) levels one to three in the following areas: bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, plastering, painting and glazing. The number of learners in Basic Electrical Installations that graduated on 27 March 2009 increased dramatically from 405 in 2008 to 810 in 2009.
Through MINTEK’s beneficiation programme, 40 women graduated on 5 December 2008. This programme entails the manufacturing of opaque glass beads from used bottles. As I speak, honourable speaker, 80 more women are enrolled in ceramic and pottery production.
Honourable speaker, there remain an estimated 698 000 people older than 20 years who have not completed grade seven. Due to the daunting nature of this task, in the 2009/10 financial year, rural development receives R38 million. With this amount we will use R22 million on Apex priority five, which requires skills training and development and R12 million for Apex priority seven focusing on programmes to combat illiteracy and Apex priority eight outlining the development of the comprehensive anti-poverty strategy to address gender, disability and youth developmental needs. R3 million of the rural development programme will be spent on stores, learner teaching support material (LTSM), equipment and other goods and services. We would like to encourage all South Africans to learn; we are never too old to learn! ‘Thuto ga e golelwe’.
Of the R111,9 million allocated for ABET institutional development in 2009/10,
R66,2 million will be spent on salaries for ABET practitioners, R1,9 million on curriculum and assessment and the administration of the norms and standards pilot centres, 8 million on telephones, fuel allowances, photocopy machines and subsistence.
G. Programme 7: Early Childhood Development (R193,156, increase of 17, 7 percent)
Honourable speaker Early Childhood Development (ECD) is one of the Apex Priority projects of government. During his 2008 budget speech, the minister of finance re-iterated this priority.
In the 8 January statement the honourable Mr. Jacob Zuma promised, “We will introduce a sustainable early childhood development system that spans both public and private sectors and give our children a head start in numeracy and literacy”. In his State of the nation address, he further states, “The Early
Childhood Development programme will be stepped up with the aim of ensuring universal access to grade Rs of the province address, our premier, the honourable Maureen Modiselle, also indicates that the provincial government progressively incorporate grade R into primary schools. The North West
Education department is, therefore, actively and progressively responding to this brief.
Honourable speaker, in the past financial year, we received R164,2 million for early childhood development. The department provided 743 out of 1 150 primary schools with grade R classes. We followed a pro-poor approach, targeting schools in quintiles one and two, as we provided facilities and equipment to schools with grade R. A hundred and five classrooms were delivered to a hundred schools. These classrooms were customized for grade R with a storeroom, hand basin, shelves and a ramp with a rail.
313 schools received outdoor equipment: jungle gyms, swings, slides and sandpits. 304 schools were furnished with carpets, steel cabinets and mobile library units. 461 educator posts were created. 350 schools were supplied with learner support materials.
During the 2009/10 financial year, the norms and standards for Grade R funding applies. The subsidy to Grade R practitioners increases from R1000 to R3000 per month. As part of the Expanded Public Works programme, the North West Education
Department trained caregivers and practitioners as follows: 221 on NQF level one and 296 on NQF level fl four training in ECD. To facilitate this programme, the department appointed coordinators for each of the four districts and one field worker for each area project office (APO). Currently, 230 practitioners are trained on NQF Level five. In 2009/10, we allocate R193 156 million to early childhood development.
H. Programme 8: Auxiliary and associated services (R69,062 million, increase of 23 percent)
1. HIV and AIDS (Conditional Grant of R12,912, increase of 2 percent)
In the 2008/09 financial year, the department received a conditional grant of R12,2 million for the HIV and AIDS intervention. This money was spent as million, care and support for orphans and vulnerable children R1,5 million, administration R468 592 and salaries R525 892.
In partnership with the Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE) and the Media in
Education Trust (MIET), the department introduced a programme for care and support for orphans and vulnerable children. Some of the achievements of this programme include registrations with the South African Social Security Agency
(SASSA) for 20 967 child support grants, 616 foster care grants, 1 735 old age pensions, 32 disability grants and 1 270 school uniforms. Our collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs yielded 27 854 identity documents, 32 000 birth certificate
Through the Department of Social Development we distributed 5 111 food parcels and 2 073 school uniforms and through our partnerships with the North West Rotary Club and the Department of Health, we delivered 90 wheelchairs to disabled persons. Thirty five child care workers received accredited training.
Through the Peer Education Programme, we imparted life skills to 638 learners to prevent social problems such as substance abuse, teen pregnancy and suicide.
At 680 schools, we trained SGBs, principals and teachers on effective parenting.
Three thousand and forty teachers received No Apologies training. We also provided learner and teacher support materials for schools to support the HIV and AIDS rollout.
For the 2009/10 financial year, the department allocates R12,9 million, of which
40 percent goes to care and support. In this regard, the beneficiaries will increase from 280 to 380 schools, which include middle and high schools.
Honourable speaker, our fight against HIV and AIDS is generally proving to be very successful. It is in this light that the department wishes to thank all its partners in and outside of government, including the communities of the North
West for their support for its HIV and AIDS programmes.
Honourable speaker, we have also been awarded the Global Award for Innovation in Education in Finland, 2008 in recognition of the success of our schools as Centres of Care and Support (SCCS) programme.
2. Examinations, Assessment, Certification and Accreditation
Honourable speaker, during 2008/09, with an allocation of R63,8 million, we administered successfully, the grade 12 examinations according to the requirements of the new curriculum. We managed the new integrated examination computer system very well and all our candidates received their statement of results on 30 December 2008 as planned.
Two external examinations, May and October/November 2008, were administered for the ABET level four candidates. The grade nine external continuous task assessment (CTAs) parts A and B were also administered during the fourth quarter of the academic year. The department distributed exemplar papers and previous question papers and memoranda to schools with matric learners. The 2008 reports and all examination guidelines for 2009 were distributed to schools.
In February and March, this year, we conducted supplementary examinations for grade 12 and, between April and June; we facilitated external examinations for learners that were not successful in the last NATED 550 examinations written in
2007. These learners still have two years to complete matric in terms of the former curriculum. All candidates who did not complete the senior certificate in the old curriculum received another opportunity during April 2009.
This year, we allocate R40 million under this programme for examinations and assessment. R33 million is allocated under programme two in lieu of stipend for examination markers. The money will be used to conduct workshops with relevant colleagues on promotion requirements. In November, we will run external examinations for grade 12 (national senior certificate) and the results will be processed on the integrated examination computer system.
A preparatory matric examination for grade 12 will be written in September 2009.
Under-performing grade 10 and 11 schools will write common midyear and end of year examinations. The ABET level four examinations will be conducted in June and November 2009. The grade nine common tasks assessment (CTAs) part A will be administered during the latter part of the second school quarter and early in the third quarter. Part B will be administered during the last quarter of the 2009 academic year.
The grade nine general education certificate (GEC) will be piloted in 2009 and, at the end of 2010 a GEC will be issued to all successful grade nine learners.
In November 2009, national assessment instruments for numeracy, mathematics and literacy will be implemented in grades one to six. At the same time, the rest of the learning areas in grade six will be monitored with provincially produced instruments.
Conclusion
Honourable speaker, I would like to quote the honourable Jacob Zuma in his state of the nation address, once again, as follows, “We want teachers, learners and parents to work with government to turn our schools into thriving centres of excellence”. Honourable speaker, ladies and gentlemen, as I have always said, education delivery has become a shared function. In view of this, therefore, I would like to call on all our teachers, learners and parents to throw their weight behind the department as we are striving towards the highest quality in our education delivery. TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE. TOGETHER WE HAVE TO DO MORE. TOGETHER WE WILL DO MORE.
It is also in the spirit of WORKING TOGETHER that I wish to convey my heartfelt appreciation to my colleagues in the executive council, the speaker and members of the provincial legislature, the mayors and councillors, the teacher unions, the business community, parents, and all the unsung heroes who have always been there for the department.
Honourable speaker, just before I end, let me reiterate our non-negotiables, as the president spelt out in his state of the nation address, “Teachers should be in school, in class, on time, teaching, with no neglect of duty and no abuse of pupils. The children should be in class, on time, learning, be respectful of their teachers and each other, and do their homework”. In her state of the province address, our own premier endorses the sentiments of the president, where she says “Educators should equally honour their side of the contract to carryout the non-negotiables announced by President Zuma”. I would like to assure everybody that if this is not so, the department will certainly act.
Thank You, Ke a Leboga, Baie Dankie
May God bless South Africa!!
2009/10 Budget Summary
R’ million
Programme 1: Administration: 550 332
Programme 2: Public Ordinary School Education: 6 846 429
Programme 3: Independent School and Home Education: 12 643
Programme 4: Public Special School Education: 171 134
Programme 5: Further Education and Training Colleges: 190 698
Programme 6: Adult Basic Education and Training: 111 865
Programme 7: Early Childhood Development: 193 156
Programme 8: Auxiliary and Associated Services: 69 063
Total: 8 145 319
