MEC Makalo Mohale: Free State Education Prov Budget Vote 2023/24

Mohlomphehi Spikara;
Mohlomphehi Tonakgolo ya Provinse ya Freistata Ditho tsa Lekgotla le phahameng la Tsamaiso;
Ditho tse hlomphehang tsa Lekgotla la Ntlo ya Ketsa Melao ya Freistata Balekane ba rona mesebetsing ya ntshetsopele ya Thuto;
Lekala la ditaba tsa merero ya Basebetsi Dihlooho tsa dikolo, Matitjhere le baithuti Mekgatlo ya Taolo ya Dikolo;
Baeti ba kgethehileng;
Ditho tsa mekgatlo ya Ditaba Bo- Mme le Bo – Ntate;

Introduction

Ke lebisa ditumediso tse tletseng mofuthu ho baahi bohle ba provense ena ya rona ya Freistata, esitana le ho ba leboha ka ho re fa monyetla o babatsehang wa ho ba sebeletsa lefapheng lena la Thuto ya Motheo.

Dikatleho tsa thuto provenseng ena di itshetlehile tshebedisano mmohong ya rona bohle re le matitjhere, batswadi, baithuti, makala a kgwebo, dikereke, mekgatlo ya

kemedi ya basebetsi, barutehi, mekga ya dipolotiki, le balekane ba bang ba rona ba ntshetso pele ya setjhaba.

Tsela eo re etsang mosebetsi ka yona ke eo ho yona setjhaba sohle se ikakgelang ka setotswana mosebetsing wa ntshetso pele ya thuto, ha mmoho le ntshetso peleng ya setjhaba ka kakaretso, thuto ele le sona sebetsa se ka sehloohong.

Madam Speaker, South Africa is indeed a country at work and the education sector contributes immensely to how we are developing as a nation. The critical value of basic education cannot be overemphasized.

Basic education strengthens democracies, fights inequality and poverty, improves the nation’s health outcomes and contributes significantly to faster economic growth.

Our investment in basic education, which has been our number one priority since 2009, seeks to improve the conditions of our people and free the potential of everyone in the country.

Madam Speaker, in its February 2021 publication, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) cogently summarizes ‘the role of education in economic development’ as follows:

“Education in every sense is one of the fundamental factors of development. No country can achieve sustainable economic development, without substantial investment in human capital. Education enriches people’s understanding of themselves and the world. It improves the quality of their lives and leads to broad social benefits for individuals and society.”

Madam Speaker, allow me to dedicate my maiden Budget Vote Speech by paying tribute to my predecessor, Comrade Tate Makgoe.

His lifelong commitment to a better life for all the people of the Free State gave him a profound appreciation for education as the portal to individual and collective realization, dignity, and prosperity.

‘Mr Simply the Best’ was passionate about the African child and worked day and night to ensure that a child in the township and rural areas has as much opportunity to thrive and excel, as a child in the city.

He recognized that government alone cannot fix education and as a result, he built a network of partners from corporates and civil society to ensure success.

History will indeed see him as a hugely consequential leader.

Under his leadership, since 2009, the department has been ‘raising the bar, closing the gap and supporting learners in all grades’.

Improvements have been made in schools, the majority of which serve learners from the poorest communities and rural areas.

We need to do more to impart skills, knowledge, competencies, innovation, creativity and attitudes that will build this province.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 has brought about new thinking regarding the ability of education systems to respond with agility to the unpredictability of pandemics.

In this province, we protected learning to some extent but also experienced severe learning losses.

We protected learning through the implementation of a framework for the recovery of learning, and the system began the process of rebuilding.

In January this year, the sector hosted the Basic Education Lekgotla.

Under the slogan ‘Equipping learners with knowledge and skills for a changing world post Covid-19 pandemic’, the objectives of the Lekgotla were as follows:

• Strengthening the foundation for learning and accountability in the system
• Adopt a competency framework
• Equip learners with knowledge and skills for a changing world
• Equip teachers to deliver the curriculum within the context of the changing world
• Strengthen the use of technology to support curriculum delivery
• Strengthen the package of care and support for teachers and learners

Budget for 2023/24

The overall 2023/24 MTEF budget allocation for the Free State Department of Education is R 17.558 billion.

In the previous financial year, our adjusted allocation was R 17.671 billion.

This is a decrease of R113.195 million, which represents a decline of 0.64%.

Breakdown of the Budget

Madam Speaker, the breakdown of the budget by the Free State Department of Education per Programmes is as follows:

• The allocation for Administration decreased by 7.16% from last year’s allocation to about R 1.196 billion.
• Public Ordinary School Education received R12.750 billion compared to R12.729 billion in the 2022/23 financial year which is an increase of 0.16%.
• The allocation of Independent Schools decreased by 13.33% to R 125.810 million.
• Public Special School Education is allocated R 670.731 million which represents a decrease of 1.76 % from the 2022/23 financial year.
• Early Childhood Development (ECD) is allocated R 621.635 million, a decrease of 2.87% from the 2022/2023 financial year.
• Infrastructure development is allocated R1.027 billion, which equates to 5.85% of the total departmental budget. 
• The allocation for Examination and Education Services increased by 2.42% from last year’s allocation to R 1.165 billion.

Curriculum

Madam Speaker, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) services were successfully shifted to the Department of Basic Education on 1 April 2022.

About 64 officials, consisting of 54 Social Workers and 6 officials responsible for infrastructure were transferred from the Free State Department of Social Development (DSD) to the Free State Department of Education.

Since the ECD function shift was completed, the following was done:

• Conducted means test verification to validate the data received from DSD with the intent to ensure that no child who is eligible for funding is left behind. The exercise resulted in additional funding for 2 681 children to the value of R 12,032 million.
• A total of 61 682 out of 71 391 children accessing ECDs are now legible for funding through the means test verification process undertaken.
• 1 400 practitioners were trained on the implementation of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Each ECD site received a copy of the NCF as a total of 3 000 NCF documents were printed and distributed.
• Printed and distributed term-based 2 500 Curriculum theme posters aligned to the NCF to ensure uniform curriculum delivery and acquisition of skills.
• Upskilled, 268 practitioners towards NQF Level 4.• 1 050 ECD practitioners and matrons were trained on Gender Responsive Pedagogy.

Madam Speaker, in the 2023/24 financial year, a budget of R 3,5 million is set aside for the following:

• Procurement of toys for the 200 ECD sites for stimulating emergent literacy and numeracy skills.
• Printing and distribution of an additional 1 500 NCF documents targeting ECD practitioners and 7 000 theme posters for all the ECD sites to ensure the smooth implementation of the curriculum.
• Upskilling 250 Pre-Grade R practitioners to obtain NQF Level 4.

Madam Speaker, in the 2022/2023 financial year, the department was able to absorb 450 qualified grade R practitioners into permanent Post Level 1 posts.

• 1 000 grade R practitioners were trained in the teaching of Language and Mathematical content.
• 300 grade R practitioners are in the second year of upskilling their qualifications through funding from the ETDP SETA.

In the 2023/24 Financial Year, an Amount of R3 Million is Set Aside For:

• Upskilling an additional 90 Grade R practitioners towards obtaining a diploma in Grade R teaching.
• Training 600 grade R practitioners in the ECD sites will be on the implementation of CAPS targeting Home Languages, Mathematics and Life Skills.
• Training 600 grade R practitioners in public schools on visual perceptual skills.

Primary Schools: Laying a Solid Foundation

Madam Speaker, our pass rate in the Foundation Phase is a matter of concern.

The overall Foundation Phase performance is as follows: In 2019, we obtained 91,0%, in 2020 we obtained 92,5%, in 2021, we obtained, 89,5% and in 2022, we obtained 91,8%.

To achieve our goals, we will do the following:

• Training of 323 grades 1-3 teachers in Home Languages and an additional 430 on reading methodologies. Additional training will focus on teaching challenging mathematical topics from which 480 teachers will benefit.
• Procurement of Maths kits for 50 schools to foster conceptual understanding.
• Distribution of assessment frameworks and conduct of SBA moderations.

Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate Motheo Education District for being the number 1 District in the country in the category – Excellence in Primary Schools Learning Outcomes Support.

In the 2023/24 Financial Year, an amount of R 3,5 million is set aside for training targeting the following subjects:

• 500 Foundation Phase teachers in Home Languages
• 500 Foundation Phase teachers in Reading
• 500 Foundation Phase teachers on Mathematics content and pedagogy
• 100 teachers in multigrade teaching

Re tla etsa bonnete ba hore dipuo tsa rona tsa setso, tsa se-Afrika di a rutwa le ho matlafatswa dikolong tsa rona, ka ho etsa hore dibuka tse ngotsweng ka dipuo tse 120 tsa se-Afrika di fumanehe ha bobebe dikolong. Re tla boela re etsa hore dibuka tsa methematics tsa di Ten frames di fumanehe dikolong tsa Thuto ya Mtheo ( Primari) tse 50.

In supporting grades 4 – 7, an amount of R 5,5 million will be used as follows:

• Printing a set of Literature Anthology Books for 160 primary schools in line with the Language of Learning and Teaching (LolT) of each school.

• Continue to provide the Cool Creative Kids` Collection, Volume 6 as well as the electronic copies of the Readalot Bulletins.
• Distribution of Thakaneng, 1st Volume electronic copies for schools offering Sesotho Home Language as well as the distribution of electronic copies of the Lemme Ga Le Bolae Bulletin for schools offering Setswana
• Printing a set of 40 NaliBali stories for 20 newly established Reading Clubs.
• Training of 500 grades 4-6 teachers on the teaching of Home Languages and
• 100 grade 7 Home Language teachers on teaching Literature in the Primary Schools.
• Monitoring of 180 schools implementing the Primary Schools Reading Improvement Program (PSRIP) to ascertain the impact made.
• 100 grade 7 and 450 grades 4-6 Mathematics teachers will be trained in teaching Mathematics concepts.
• Continue to conduct 1-hour bi-weekly professional sessions targeting teachers from the 160 schools who are teaching Mathematics and Natural Science.
• Conduct SBA moderations targeting 80 schools in terms 2 and 4.
• Train 120 teachers in the teaching of Coding and Robotics.

Since 2018, the Department has successfully implemented Entrepreneurship Employability and Education E3 in 110 schools. In 2022, 20 schools in Fezile Dabi District will participate in the program.

The programme is implemented in the following anchor subjects:

• Grades 4 to 6: Life Skills (LS)
• Grades 7 to 9: Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and
• Grades 10 and 11: Life Orientation (LO)

In sustaining this programme, teachers from the 130 schools will be supported to ensure its continued success.

2022 NSC Results

Madam Speaker, as you know, the Grade 12 Class of 2022 again achieved the NUMBER ONE position in the country with an impressive 88.5% pass rate.

This represents an improvement of 2,8% compared with the 2021 results.

The province had the highest number of subjects that achieved the number 1 position in the country, that is, 22 subjects.

We also had the highest number of learners that wrote Mathematics, 13 683, with a pass rate of 66,4% and obtaining position 2 nationally.

About 144 schools obtained an overall NSC pass rate of 90 % and above as well as a bachelor pass rate of 40% and above.

Technical Mathematics recorded a huge improvement in pass percentage from 73,5% to 94,3% and obtained position 1 in the country.

We also obtained the highest Bachelor pass rate of 43,0%.

Since the advent of the NSC in 2008, the Free State Province has been number one 7 times in the last 10 years and four consecutive years:

Motheo district occupies the FIRST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY with a pass rate of 90.8%.

Fezile Dabi District moved to position 2 with a 90.4% pass rate.

Two other districts, Xhariep and Thabo Mofutsanyane District, are part of the TOP TEN districts nationally with pass rates of 87.5% and 87.2% respectively.

Lejweleputswa, although not in the top 10, is not far behind with a pass rate of 85.7%.

Our consistent good and great performance in Grade 12 and the entire system from Primary schools is attracting a lot of opportunities for our schools and communities.

Free State province is becoming a good investment opportunity for both individual parents and business and donors alike.

These extraordinary achievements, Madam Speaker, were attained due to the following interventions:

• Conducted autumn, winter and spring classes reaching a total of 24 500 grade 12 learners.
• Conducted    quarterly    School    Based    Assessments    (SBA) moderations targeting big enrolment subjects in grades 9, 10 to 12.
• Printed study guides developed by the Provincial Subject Coordinators jointly with Subject Advisors and lead teachers for grades 8-12 subjects.
• Conducted special Camps for Technical Mathematics learners in June and December.
• Trained all grades 8 and 9 learners with printed readers as part of the provincial reading strategy.

• Piloted a reading program in 70 quintile 1 schools. Schools received new 5 words per week.
• Trained teachers on setting quality assessment tasks.
• Equipped 14 agricultural schools with tunnels.
• Procured textbooks and stationery for 331 section 20 and section

21.c schools.

• 5 Technical schools received their textbooks for the technical specialisations that they are offering.

Provincial Strategy on Learner Attainment

In the 2023/24 financial year, R152,5 million will be used to implement the Provincial Strategy on Learner Attainment (PSLA) by implementing the following interventions:

• 1 500 additional printed readers for grades 8 and 9.
• Develop and distribute weekly flyers with vocabulary and/or proverbs aimed at improving learners’ vocabulary as well as reading with understanding.
• Conduct Mathematics 9 + 1 sessions in grades 8 and 9, focusing on underperforming schools.
• A dedicated support programme for grades 9 and 10 is needed to deal with the throughput rate. Data analysis of the end-of-the-year internal examinations revealed that the grade 10 overall performance is the lowest in the FET Band. For instance: in 2019, the performance was 58,4%, in 2020, it was 72,5 %, in 2021, it was 64,5% and in 2022 it was 61,6%.

A support programme targeting Home Languages, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Accounting, EMS and NS will be implemented.

• As part of the support program activity, booklets in grades 8, 9 and 10 will be printed for all learners in the respective grades to ensure that each learner is exposed to quality daily activities.
• 544 data projectors were procured for Subject Advisors and 197 CAT/IT teachers received laptops through the funding from the MST grant.
• Training School Based LTSM Committees on uploading and recording procured LTSM.

• Submitting annual LTSM reports per quarter to District Directors via the Circuit Managers to report on available textbooks to strengthen the retrieval system.

In the 2023/24 financial year, through the MST grant, an amount of R 40 million will be used to:

• Supply laboratory equipment to 15 Physical Sciences schools in Motheo District and 20 Natural Sciences schools in Fezile Dabi District. Teachers from these schools will be trained to ensure value for money.
• Supply materials to all technical schools to enable learners to complete their Practical Assessment Tasks (PATs).
• Question banks will be printed for each grade 12 learner in the nine technical specializations to improve performance in these subjects.
• Increase enrolment in the technical stream. About 23 of the 29 schools offering a technical stream, implemented one or two of the vocational subjects (Civil Technology, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology) in grade 8 in January 2023. Five schools will also continue with this pilot in grade 9. 

• EGD workbooks were printed and delivered to schools for grade 10 to 12 learners.
• 1 830 tablets were procured for Maths and Physical Sciences.

Three Streams Model

Madam Speaker, I am happy to announce that Wongalethu Secondary School in Xhariep District, has become a fully-fledged technical school with the introduction of a second specialization subject in grade 10 in January 2023.

In expanding the three-stream model through the introduction of three new technical schools in the Xhariep district:

• Boaramelo CS offers Automotive and Engineering Graphics and Design in grades 10 and 11 in 2023.
• Reikaeletse SS started with Automotive and Engineering Graphics and Design in grade 10 in 2023. All the EGD learners in these schools were equipped with drawing boards and drawing equipment.

We will spend R53 million this financial year to construct workshops at these three schools.

We will also convert Tempe Warehouse into a School of Skills called Mangaung Skills Academy.

The academy will offer the following trades in phase 1 of implementation: Welding, Automotive, Plumbing, Electrical and Electronics. The conversion of the Tempe Warehouse into Artisan School will cost R 14 322 817,95. It will be completed in the current financial year.

Phase one of Reamohetse Secondary School in Botshabelo which was identified to be converted into an Articon School is under construction a cost estimate of R18,089,401.98 and will also be completed in the current financial year.

Some of them will offer occupational skills programs in various fields from hairdressing, nail and beauty technology, hospitality, information technology and carpentry.

We are also introducing entrepreneurship as part of developing future entrepreneurs and job creators.

The schools are equipping learners with practical job and business skills that enables them to be applied immediately and thus start their own small and micro enterprises.

Madam Speaker, we will continue to equip our learners and teachers with skills for the changing world by:

• Continuing with the pilot of Coding and Robotics as a subject offered by 23 secondary schools.
• The piloting schools will be provided with content and work schedules.
• Conducting regular online and face-to-face training sessions to improve teachers’ skills and knowledge for successful implementation of the subject content.
• Providing the first 5 schools with a trolley with 40 learner laptops, a teacher laptop, a data projector and speakers.
• 9 schools offering CAT/IT are implementing Digital Technology in grade 8 as of 2023.
• Piloting the hybrid teaching model named Virtual Learning Recovery Program (VLRP) in 44 secondary schools across the province

• Teachers from these 44 schools will be provided with laptops, data projectors and speakers.
• Continue to train teachers from schools offering CAT/IT to ensure that they are ready for the implementation of ICDL for grade 9 learners in these schools.

Agricultural Schools

In partnership with Rijk Zwaan, a Dutch company, we will provide seedlings to all agricultural schools. This initiative seeks to contribute to food security in the country by introducing grade 8 and 9 learners to the planting of seedlings and eventually harvesting crops.

• As part of the expansion of agricultural schools, two tunnels were erected at Bainsvlei Combined School. The emphasis in the 2023 Academic Year will be on the supply of soil and other equipment to make the tunnels fully functional.
• Equipment will also be procured for Agricultural Technology (ATECH) offered in 22 schools and Agricultural Management Practices (AMP) offered in 16 schools.
• To grow the enrolment in the agricultural stream, 20 schools implemented Agricultural Studies in grade 8 in 2023. The department printed a textbook for each learner.

Madam Speaker, our strategic objective on Agricultural schools is to resource them to be able to produce vegetables to support NSNP.

Preparing for the 4th Industrial Revolution

In professionalizing teaching and getting our teachers ready for the 4th Industrial Revolution, we have provided ICT gadgets to the following officials:

• 220 laptops for accounting teachers
• 60 laptops for Technical Mathematics teachers
• 50 laptops for Natural Science teachers
• Officials and teachers were trained in the usage of Microsoft 365. A total of 550 teachers and subject advisors were trained in ICT integration.

Other Activities that Need Support

For the 2023/24 financial year, an amount of R 45 million is set aside to support the following activities:

• The implementation of the Learning Recovery Programme (LRP) aimed at training Circuit Managers, Curriculum officials, School Management Teams (SMTs) on strategies to recover learning whilst the curriculum is being implemented. The SMTs will be expected to train all teachers in their schools on this programme.
• Procurement of laptops for 250 teachers.
• Training teachers and encouraging them to participate in the activities of professional bodies.

To Support the Teacher Appreciation and Support Programme (TASP) and to acknowledge and recognize the good work done by our teachers, the Free State Education Department participated in the 22nd edition of the National Teaching Awards (NTAs).

Targets for the 2023 Academic Year

Madam Speaker, our targets for the 2023 academic year in the FET phase are as follows:

• Grade 12 – 90% pass rate with 50% bachelor pass

• Grades 10 and 11 – 88% pass rate with 35% bachelor pass
• Grades 8 and 9 – 90% pass rate with an average pass of 65%.

Inclusive Basket

Madam Speaker, this year we will administer the General Education Certificate (GEC) to 92 sampled schools.

This is in preparation for the full-scale administration of the GEC in Grade 9.

All grade 9 learners will write the GEC in 2025.

GEC is an assessment that is meant to empower learners in Grade 9 with the skills and abilities to determine their career path.

It will help them to choose the correct stream when entering grade 10, which is the first level of NSC. In addition, the GEC also serves the following purposes:

• Test learners for their acquisition of skills and knowledge in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution.
• Evaluate the schools' performance in terms of their delivery of quality teaching and learning, including the management of the school. This will include part of the Whole-schools Evaluation activities.
• Evaluate the level of system support offered by district offices. This system will also provide feedback on the involvement and support offered by the province.

Standarised Assessments

We will ensure that these standardized question papers/tests and the Grade 12 Preparatory examination question papers are printed per learner and delivered to districts from where question papers are distributed to schools.

This will be done to support learners by allowing them to write question papers/tests set by expert examiners to accurately gauge their performance and to prepare them for the end-of-year examinations.

Finishing Schools

Madam Speaker, let me also acknowledge the performance of our Finishing Schools in the 2022 NSC examinations:

• Tumahole Finishing School in Fezile Dabi District is leading at 88.9%
• Riverside Finishing School in Thabo Mofutsanyane District achieved a pass rate of 83.9%
• Selokisa Finishing School in Motheo District obtained 81.2%
• Tshepo-Themba   Finishing   School   in   Lejweleputswa   District achieved 71.4%
• Mohakare Finishing School in Xhariep District achieved 71.1%.

In the 2023 academic year, enrolment of learners in these five Finishing Schools stands at 5 055.

We have also partnered with various SETAs to assist and fund learners who successfully completed their studies in our Finishing Schools to enroll in Skills Development and Artisan Programs at public and private TVET Colleges. These SETAs will facilitate learnership opportunities in various public and private organizations for deserving learners. We once these learners complete their skills programs at TVET colleges – doors of employment and entrepreneurship will be opened for.

Education Infrastructure

Madam Speaker, in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) the Honorable Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, instructed the department to “place a high value on the delivery of quality infrastructure”.

To heed the call of the Honorable Premier, we will ensure that our learners are taught in conducive learning and teaching environments. We will continue to provide and maintain infrastructure facilities for schools.

New Schools

Madam Speaker, we cannot say that a child is receiving quality education if there are too few schools, too few teachers and our classes are overcrowded.

In this financial year, R 776 000 000 will be spent to complete 10 new schools currently under construction. These are:

1. Trompsburg        Special School – Xhariep District
2. Arbeidsgenot      Primary School – Motheo District
3. Matlafalang Primary School – Motheo District
4. Tlholo         Primary School – Motheo District
5. Malebogo Primary School – Lejweleputswa District
6. Tshehetso Primary School – Lejweleputswa District

7. Morena Tshohisi Primary school – Thabo Mofutsanyana District
8. Father Balink       Primary School – Fezile Dabi District
9. Dr. Sello Primary School – Fezile Dabi District
10. Katlego Mpumelelo Primary School – Fezile Dabi District

In addition, the appointment of contractors for the construction of two more schools, Bergman P/S in Motheo District and Tsebo Ulwazi S/S in Fezile Dabi District has been finalised and work is expected to commence in this financial year. An amount of R186 million has been earmarked for this purpose.

New Hostels

Madam Speaker in the 2022/23 financial year, we completed Dr. Blok Secondary School hostel in Motheo District.

We will continue to build five school hostels to improve the accommodation needs of the learners with special needs and farm school learners.

The following three hostels will accommodate farm school learners and two are constructed for special schools:

1. Leboneng Special School Hostel in Lejweleputswa District
2. Breda Primary School Hostel in Thabo Mofutsanyane District
3. Oranjekrag Primary School Hostel in Xhariep District
4. Boitumelong Special School Hostel in Motheo District and
5. Trompsburg Special School Hostel in Xhariep District.

Madam Speaker, the department has also set aside an amount of R 90 737 350.88 to refurbish 40 school hostels for the next MTEF period to ensure proper accommodation for learners as well as learners from the farm school project.

This is in line with our Integrated Rural Education Strategy which aims to improve access to education, as well as the quality of education for all learners in rural schools.

The objective of this strategy is also to reduce the number of non-viable learner transport routes, and non-viable schools especially where learners have to travel long distances from home to attend school.

ECD Programme

Madam Speaker, in the 2023/24 financial year, R4 million has been set aside to construct one new low-cost ECD centre in Botshabelo.

In addition, a total of 18 existing ECD centres will be upgraded to make the learning and teaching environment conducive.

Additional facilities at existing schools

In the 2023/24 financial year, R240 million has been allocated to provide schools across the province with additional facilities such as Classrooms, Grade R Classrooms, Science Laboratories, Nutrition Centres and Ablution Facilities. This is to ensure that the Minimum Norms and Standards for school infrastructure are complied with.

Alternative forms of energy to schools

Madam Speaker, with the country’s energy security seriously compromised and negatively affecting learning and teaching in our schools, in the previous financial year we have provided 10 back-up generators to hostel schools.

In the 2023/24 financial year, R13.72 million have been set aside to procure 14 additional generators to hostels schools.

In the next financial year, we will install solar power to 56 hostel schools, 29 technical schools, 25 special schools and 6 agricultural schools. The estimated cost of this intervention will be R348 million which will be spend over three years.

In addition, we have also powered Thabo Mofutsanyane Education District with generator for the district to perform essential services. In this financial year, we will provide Thabo Mofutsanyane Education District with additional generator to cover all necessary service during loadshedding.

Lejweleputswa Education District will also receive a 200 KVA generator.

To prevent electricity disconnection due to schools’ historical debts the department has engaged Eskom. We have also introduced energy cost reduction measures for schools which include prepaid electricity and tariff downgrades.

Partnerships

Madam Speaker in the 2023/24 financial year; R45 million is earmarked for co-funding partnerships with external partners for an inclusive whole school improvement model in Lejweleputswa. The model will inter alia, include capacitating school management teams, supporting learning and teaching, learner support and infrastructure development.

In the previous financial year, the department entered into a similar co- funding agreement with Investec, CHIETA, Harmony Gold Mine and FoodBev SETA to improve scholastic performance in Mathematics and Physical Science at Grade 12.

For the current financial year, R6 million has been made available to continue to support grade 10, 11 and 12 learners who will be hosted in these centres.

Through donor funding from Sibanye, a three-year grade 10 to 12 Maths and Science learner support programme will be rolled out around Theunissen, Virginia and Odendaalsrus during this financial year.

Polokeho Dikolong

Mohlomphehi Spikara, ho rona polokeho dikolong tsa rona ke ntlha e ka sehloohong. Ka hoo, Lefapha le kentse tshebetsong mekgwa e matla e tla etsang hore re tihise tshireletseho dikolong.

Mekgwa ya rona ya ho matlafatsa tshireletseho dikolong e shebane haholo le ntlafaso ya meaho ya dikolo, ho kampelwa ka nepo dijareteng tsa dikolo, ho kenngwa hwa dialamo le matlafatso ya thibelo ya boshodu dikolong ka kakaretso. Re ilo boela re matlafatsa le ho tihisa maqhama a rona a tshebetso le balekane ba rona ba ntshetso pele ya thuto dikolong tsa rona.

We have a solid partnership with the South African Police Services (SAPS) aimed at linking schools with local police stations and establishing functional School Safety Committees. About 1 000 School Safety Committee members will be trained during this financial year.

Boys Dialogues, targeting 700 boys per district, will also be conducted, to inculcate discipline and respect for human rights and schools’ code of conduct.

We call on parents and communities to actively participate in promoting school safety. Parents and communities are well-positioned to see to it that children are safe wherever they are. We want to create schools that embody social cohesion, patriotism, and no-violence.

School Enrichment Programmes

Magnificent Wednesday School Sports League

Madam Speaker, in May 2022 the department successfully launched the Provincial School Sports League, referred to as Magnificent

Wednesday School Sports League. About 598 primary and high schools participate in Soccer, Netball and Volleyball.

The main purpose of this league is to revitalize a school sports league that will encourage learners to participate in extra and co-curricular programmes.

It also seeks to render support to curriculum delivery in schools, improve learner attendance, eliminate social ills that hinder teaching and learning in schools, and expose learners to possible sport career paths.

The Magnificent Wednesday School Sports League will also provide learners with an opportunity to showcase their sporting talents whilst encouraging them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

An official kick-off for 2023 will take place at Edenburg in the Xhariep District on 4 May 2023.

About 750 schools are expected to participate and the finals will take place in August 2023.

Sports legends will assist in coaching and identifying talent during the leagues from circuit level.

South African School Choral Eisteddfod

On 25-27 May 2023, we will host the Provincial Championships of South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE).

Now in its 24th year, the Eisteddfod remains one of the most crucial school enrichment programmes coordinated by the department to promote unity in diversity, national reconciliation, positive values, social transformation, and social cohesion among learners.

Last year, 780 Free State learners from 21 schools participated in the national competition.

Schools’ Moot Court

Madam Speaker, preparation for the National Moot Court Competition is underway. This year, 50% of participants in the province will be drawn from Hostel and Farm School learners.

Last year, the province was represented by the following schools: Lephola Secondary School; Concordia High School and Mamello Secondary School (all in Lejweleputswa District) and Tlotlanang Combined School (Motheo District).

Eight learners, four teachers and one official took part in the National Schools Moot Court Finals at the University of Pretoria’s Law Faculty.

The Competition aims to create greater awareness in schools and communities about the Constitution and the values that it embodies through active participation. The aim is also to encourage talented young people to consider pursuing a career in law.

We urge all secondary schools in the province to enter a team of two learners.

National Schools Nutrition School Programme (NSNP)

Madam Speaker, in the 2023/24 financial year, the national Department of Basic Education has allocated R534 906 000 conditional grant for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) to provide 597 600 learners from 800 quintile 1-3 Primary, Secondary and Special Schools with healthy and nutritious meals.

Tellingly, as of Wednesday, 12 April 202, we introduced breakfast for all learners participating in this programme.

About 3 395 unemployed parents of these learners will be appointed as Volunteer Food Handlers (VFHs) to prepare meals.

Madam Speaker, in February, Motheo District again made us proud by winning the 2022/23 NSNP Best District Award.

Thabang Primary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane District obtained first position in the 2021/22 NSNP Best School Award. The school received a fully equipped kitchen to the value of R700 000 – courtesy of the Tiger Brand Foundation.

NSNP is contributing to local economies as funds are transferred to schools and SGBs procure from local value chains.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, I want to end this presentation by inviting all education stakeholders to join hands with the government and move faster to equip our learners with knowledge and skills for the changing world.

Education is a societal issue and the involvement of various stakeholders, especially parents, in education is vital to the overall success of the lives of our children.

We are therefore making an earnest appeal to parents, community members and other strategic stakeholders to show up and be counted.

Madam Speaker, it is telling that we are presenting this 2023/24 budget vote exactly 12 days before we mark the 29th anniversary of Freedom Day and 4 days after the struggle icon, Chris Hani, was brutally assassinated by racist agent provocateurs.

We dare not forget the terrible past from which we have come, nor should we forget the many sacrifices made by patriots, such as Chris Hani, Solomon Mahlangu, Oliver Tambo, Fezile Dabi, Winnie Mandela, and many others to ensure our democracy and freedom.