Honourable Speaker, Mrs. Thandi Shongwe
Honourable Premier, Mr. DD Mabuza
Members of the Legislature
Members of the Executive Council
Distinguished Guests
Representatives from the media
Members of the community in the gallery and those who are listening from various radio stations.
Sanibonani
Madam Speaker, words are inadequate to describe the kind of appreciation we have for the opportunity you have granted to the Department of Education to table the 2015/16 Policy and Budget Speech.
We are delighted as the tabling of our policy and budget speech is taking place during the Africa Month of May at the backdrop of the Republic of South Africa celebrating 21 years of Freedom.
Our quest for access to quality education is articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which guarantees the right to basic education as enunciated in the National Development Plan.
The renowned poet and writer, James Mathews, also pronounced our desire profoundly in his poem entitled Freedom Child which reads thus:
You have been denied for too long
fill your lungs and cry rage
step forward and take your rightful place
You’re not going to grow up
knocking at the back door
for you there will be no traveling
third class enforced by law with
segregated schooling and sitting on the floor
the rivers of our land, mountain tops
and the shore It’s yours, you will not
be denied any more
Cry rage, freedom child.
The Department has been making every effort in ensuring that our children (the freedom child) receive quality education that will transform them from a state of want, poverty, inequality and joblessness to a state where opportunities are in abundance and are taken advantage of.
These efforts find expression in the newly adopted vision statement of the Department:
Advancing Excellence in Quality Education Delivery
This has certainly been a responsibility and a commitment that the Department has guaranteed.
It should be acknowledged that when we lay a foundation for our children, and offer them support structures that enable them to access their education in a friendly and conducive environment, they automatically strive to be the best citizens in their communities.
That's exactly what we focus on and strive to achieve through:
Administration
Madam Speaker, in His State of the Province Address, the Honourable Premier, Mr DD Mabuza stated that our agenda for radical socio- economic transformation must be anchored on an education system that delivers quality outcomes.
He further said:
“Our future is in the hands of our children and their needs and aspirations are uppermost on our agenda. Our investment in education remains a critical lever for self-empowerment and social progress.”
It is based on this context that our institutional environment is improved considerably so that what government desires, it achieves.
We are fostering an institutional culture that involves all officials, both in the administration and in the classroom, ensuring high levels of performance and accountability at all fronts.
In the 2009/10 financial year, the Department received a qualification and in the subsequent years to date it has been receiving unqualified audit opinions from the Auditor General with reduced areas on matters of emphasis year after year.
This sustained trend creates fertile ground for the attainment of a clean audit outcome this time around. We are determined towards the realisation of this goal.
I wish to appreciate the visionary leadership of the Province which ensured that the moratorium on the filling in of posts does not affect schools for we share a view that there must be a qualified teacher in every classroom at all times.
Equally, the Department will strive to ensure that every learner that is admitted within our system leaves at an appropriate exit level. In this regard, we are going to work with a team from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) to conduct research on possible causes and means to prevent learner drop-out.
The Department has allocated R300 000 to conduct the study.
This will support our plans of tracking learners throughout the schooling system using the Learner Unit Record Information Tracking System (LURITS).
Early childhood development
Madam Speaker, great strides have been recorded in ensuring access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) services in the province. In the year 2000 there were 10 922 Grade R learners that were attending our ECD class.
Currently, there are 62 497 learners receiving Grade R in public schools and we intend to ensure that by 2019 we realize 100% access.
A Provincial ECD Implementation Plan has since been developed to increase access to pre-grade R; ensure that all ECD centres meet the norms and standards set and are registered. This also includes up scaling the training of ECD practitioners.
We plan to enhance the monitoring of curriculum delivery, utilisation of Grade R readers, workbooks and methodology application in providing quality ECD.
The school readiness assessment system will be implemented in 1 075 schools with Grade. R in the 2015/16 financial year. This system will assess learners’ school readiness skills for entering into formal schooling in Grade One.
We are going to improve the quality of the ECD sector by prioritising the training of ECD practitioners in the Province according to the following accredited levels: 600 Pre-Grade R practitioners for NQF Level 1 training through the ECDI, 200 Pre-Grade R practitioners for Level 4 training, 300 Grade R practitioners for ECD NQF Level 5; and another 300 Grade R practitioners for ECD NQF Level 6 qualification.
The Province takes pride in the newly established Early Childhood Development Institute (ECDI) which will render special training for ECD practitioners, conduct research and ensure improvement on coordination.
I visited the ECD Institute in January this year and I was fascinated by the way things were progressing. The seconded head of the institution Ms Irene Rhulani Mpangane, has embraced government’s vision and she is up to the task.
I humbly request that the house acknowledge her presence. “Wathinti Mbokodo!”
The Department has set aside R2.7 million to ensure access to ECD, R25 million towards the purchase of Grade R LTSM, R7 million towards ECD practitioners’ development, R6.5 million to ensure the training of child minders and R7 million towards the smooth running of the ECDI.
Foundation phase
Madam Speaker, the Department has 1 312 primary schools, which are organised into four education districts and 68 circuit offices.
Over the past few years, there has been a realisation that in order to improve results at the Further Education and Training level, there should be a solid foundation in the lower grades.
Therefore, in the Action Plan to 2019: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030 (which has 27 goals) the first three goals relate to outputs in Grades 3, 6 and 9.
In order for us to realise a holistic improvement in these three grades, there must be a concerted effort regarding improving the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom; the effective use of teaching time; and the quality of assessments being at acceptable levels.
To achieve this, the Department will intensify the administration of the Annual National Assessment (ANA) and ensure that schools utilise ANA results for the improvement of teaching and learning.
The Department will closely monitor schools for the completion of curriculum in Language and Mathematics in Grades 3, 6 and 9 and for the effective utilisation of workbooks.
We wish to urge schools to communicate the results of ANA to parents and work hand in hand with them to effect the required changes and to inculcate the love for reading.
It is important that the love for reading is ignited in our children at a very young age; this does not only improve their vocabulary but also exposes them to innovative information and facts that may provoke new possibilities and future career choices.
The Department intends to ensure that the mastery of Maths, Science and Technology begins at the early stages of schooling, and to do away with the perception that these are problematic subjects that can only be mastered by a select category of our learners.
To this effect, 160 primary schools that feed into secondary schools attached to the Maths, Science and Technology Academy will receive special attention. An amount of R30 million has been set aside to procure Learning and Teaching Support Material for these schools.
They will be assisted to stimulate interest in maths and science at the foundation and intermediate phases.
The Academy will broadcast lessons to all Maths, Science and Technology Academy schools. The intention is that all our primary schools are linked to the Maths, Science and Technology Academy in order to provide adequate support to the lower phases.
Promotion of African languages
Madam Speaker, tsine sibemdzabu Wase Africa, we are proud Africans and our being is embodied in Ubuntu.
We embrace diversity which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and will do anything and everything to ensure that our schools inculcate the essence of social cohesion, respect for human rights and reconciliation.
We are mindful that language plays a significant role in the realisation of what I have mentioned above.
So far, there are 39 schools which are currently piloting the teaching of African languages.
The information at my disposal is that the pilot was well received and is progressing well.
The Department will put systems in place to ensure that in the near future there must be no school that does not teach an African language.
When tabling her Budget Vote Speech on 06 May 2015, the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs. Angie Motshekga said:
“Learning and education extends well beyond acquiring skills, into acquiring and internalising the values, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to nation-building, social cohesion and reconciliation.
"We have to learn from the shameful experiences and behaviour of the last few weeks of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals and the defacing of historical statues, and set the example for our young people to live in a world that is diverse, different and forward-looking.
"We also have the responsibility as the Sector to ensure that the young people in our schools make a positive difference to their own lives and the lives of all, whom they live, work and learn with.”
I request school governing bodies to take account of the fact that the promotion of African Languages is essential and ensure that it is always on their meetings’ agenda.
The Department has set aside R7.5 million to achieve this noble goal.
Examinations
Madam Speaker, the Department administers five annual examinations i.e. Senior Certificate Examination, National Senior Certificate Examination, Adult Basic Education and Training Level 4 Examination and Supplementary Examinations.
We pride ourselves in the fact that Mpumalanga has adopted a meticulous approach in ensuring that these examinations take place credibly and with high amounts of integrity.
In 2009, there were challenges in the management of the examination process in the province.
I am delighted Madam Speaker, to indicate to the people of the province that challenges in these areas are a thing of the past; we have turned the corner and we are a marvel of the country. Mpumalanga is second to none when it comes to the handling of these responsibilities.
Of significance is the fact that the outcomes of these examinations offer peace of mind to the people of the province as they continue to improve qualitatively year in and year out.
In 2009, Mpumalanga Province was standing at 47.9% in the Grade 12 results.
Today, we take pride that the Grade 12 results have improved from 79% which we announced in January to 80.2% following the release of the supplementary examination results.
Two districts have performed above the provincial average and I am thrilled to say that there is no district that performed below the 78% mark. This is indeed a good story to tell.
The 2014 overall best learner Ms. Madri Wiid has graced this occasion and I request the house to acknowledge her presence. She is currently studying at the University of Pretoria towards a Degree in Medicine.
I wish that the class of 2015 can find inspiration from her courage and emulate her. Thank you my daughter, the Province is proud of your achievements.
I wish to use this opportunity to thank teachers, parents and learners who worked tirelessly for us to achieve these results. Siyabonga Kakhulu.
Maths, science and technology
The Department is taking a radical approach in increasing the enrolment and performance in Mathematics and Physical Sciences in Grades 10 to 12 in keeping with the National Strategy for Mathematics, Sciences and Technology Education.
The Provincial Maths and Science Academy is one of the vehicles to achieve this and no effort will be spared until this is achieved in our life time.
The Department has allocated R 20 million to the Maths, Science and Technology Academy to ensure the attainment of this objective. The Department will work tirelessly to improve the content knowledge, pedagogic and didactic skills of Mathematics, Science and Technology subject teachers and offer direct support to learners in the MST Academy schools.
Mpumalanga is one of the provinces that are successfully implementing the 1+4 programme to improve learner performance in Grade 8 and 9 Mathematics. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all teachers and schools which have embraced this progressive initiative.
We also wish to work with school governing bodies to stimulate the interest of learners to increase enrolment in MST subjects from Grade 10.
The Department will procure and install new machinery and equipment consistent with technical subjects that are offered in technical schools, train and up-skill teachers at technical schools on identified areas in technical subjects to improve teaching and learning.
R39 million has been allocated towards the realisation of this goal.
In total, the Department has set aside R59 million to promote Maths, Science and Technology in this financial year.
Transversal HRD overview
Madam Speaker, our quest to build a skilled workforce is influenced by the provincial Human Resource Development Strategy and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Path.
The Department will continue to spearhead the transversal human resource development mandate by providing opportunities through the Provincial Bursary Scheme, Learnerships, Internships and Short Skills Programmes.
To this end, the Department has provided 734 bursaries in 2015 to the tune of R100 million. This bursary scheme caters for tuition, accommodation, purchase of study materials and a monthly stipend.
R6 million is ring-fenced towards Youth Skills Development and for convening the Youth Summit. R1.5 million is earmarked for Techno X in collaboration with SASOL.
In addition, there are 316 students who have been recruited this year in collaboration with the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA –SETA), Education, Training, Development and Practice SETA (ETDP SETA) and ESKOM to study towards various fields in line with the Mpumalanga Provincial Human Resource Development Strategy.
Furthermore, 474 students were recruited to study towards the teaching profession at various universities in the country.
They are enrolled for Bachelor of Education and Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, Mathematics, Science, Foundation Phase, Agricultural Science and Accounting. The Department has budgeted R15 million for this endeavour to build a reservoir for teaching and learning practice.
In total there are 1 544 students who have been offered bursaries in the Province in different fields of studies.
It’s with great pleasure to indicate that, currently we are engaging with Russia - African Centre for University Studies (RACUS) agent to send (30) students from the province to Russia to study Medical Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Science for educators
The Department continues to request learners in Grade 12 to apply on time for admission to Universities and for bursaries.
Teacher education and development
Madam Speaker, our quest to ensure the implementation of the National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development of 2007 prescripts is influenced by our core mandate.
To this effect, the Department will continue with the capacitation of teachers through Higher Education Institutions regarding formal qualifications to meet the REQV 14 requirement, pilot the sectorial content knowledge assessment tool; and competency assessment system for teachers.
We will also begin with the three year roll out programme to train all teachers on the use of ICT in education using the District Teacher Development Centres.
Promotion of e-learning
Madam Speaker, the Departmental Information and Communications Technology Strategy on e-learning will be aligned to the current demands and dynamics in order to improve learning at classroom level and infuse blended learning.
The Department will facilitate the activation of the broadband connectivity for schools offering the Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10-12), circuit offices and Educator Development Centres (EDCs).
This exercise will give educators and learners access to virtual libraries to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. Educators will also get access to study material at EDCs to enrich teaching in the classroom.
The Department takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to all private institutions that donated school infrastructure and resources to the Department towards the attainment of its ICT objectives.
The assistance we receive cannot go unnoticed as it plays a major role in the improvement of our schooling systems.
We also wish to pledge our commitment to work with the private sector to accelerate this endeavor.
The Department has already provided ICT resources to the 100 MSTA Secondary Schools and started rolling out to their 292 Primary Feeder Schools.
The Department has committed R29 million towards the delivery of e-learning programmes in this financial year.
Special schools and inclusive education
Madam Speaker, the Department has 18 Special Schools and 140 full service schools.
16 of these special schools admit learners with intellectual disabilities who require moderate to high levels of support within a better controlled environment.
These schools are Child and Youth Care Centres that admit learners who are in need of care and protection (in line with the Children’s Act) and also those that are in conflict with the law (in line with the Child Justice Act).
60 Special School Educators will be trained on the new Sign Language Curriculum and management of diversity in the classroom through curriculum differentiation programmes, on Braille and on guidelines of special schools as resource centres.
The overall budget for public special schools is R225.8 million for this financial year.
Madam Speaker, It gives me great pleasure to state that our learners from special schools are making a huge mark at the world stage. We have seen over the past years a number of them representing South Africa in a number of world tournaments.
I am therefore delighted to announce that there are nine learners from four special schools in the province who excelled in basketball, swimming and athletics that will be joining Team South Africa in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, California from 25 July to 2 August 2015.
These learners are from Basizeni, Masinakane and Estralita Special Schools, and also from KI Thwala which is a full-service school. On behalf of the provincial community, we wish to congratulate them and their coach, Mr Steven Mokwite, on this achievement and wish them all of the best in the tournament.
It is for this reason that over the past years, we have continuously encouraged parents of children with special needs to enroll them in schools so that they may interact with their peers and become part of a society and not be kept in isolation.
We owe it to our children to always love, care and protect them regardless of the challenges they may be facing.
School governance, management and leadership
The Department takes this opportunity to express its profound appreciation to the men and women who accepted to be elected into School Governing Bodies (SGBs).
We also thank all officials and associations of school governing bodies who made it their responsibility that the 2015 SGB elections progressed without serious challenges.
Madam Speaker, it is important that our parents are involved in educational matters; it allows us to work towards ensuring that the delivery of quality education is prioritized in all our schools.
The Department has already commenced with the induction programme which will be followed by an intensive training programme for the newly elected SGB members.
The Department has set aside R9 million towards this training programme.
We will work with School Governing Bodies to ensure the successful implementation of the Integrated School Safety Strategy; capacitation of school safety committees on their roles and responsibilities; development and monitoring the policy to censure vendors who sell food to schools and to provide schools with drug testing devices and metal detectors.
Equally, the Department will intensify the professional development of School Management Teams on curriculum management; utilization of the Annual National Assessment results to improve teaching and learning; and on School Leadership Programmes.
Violence at schools
I must say Madam Speaker that we are deeply concerned by the rate of violence, drug trafficking, vandalism and other forms of social ills occurring in our schools.
The Department working in unison with the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, the South African Police Services, the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health is implementing the Provincial Integrated School Safety Strategy.
Our view is that we can win this battle only if every parent and member of the community makes school safety their obligation.
The Department has set aside R2 million to spearhead mechanisms for schools safety programmes.
I wish to commend the South African Democratic Teachers Union for coming to the party by conducting seminars with principals looking at school-based violence and the management there-of. The seminars were marked by presentations on the impact of violence on education, school management and governance.
I will convene a meeting with all newly elected members of school governing bodies on 09 June 2015 to amongst other things look at these issues.
I am making a humble plea to all community members of Mpumalanga to work collaboratively with government to ensure that schools remain centers of community development.
National School Nutrition Programme
The National School Nutrition Programme contributes immensely to improving learning capacity; promoting self-supporting school food gardens; and promoting healthy lifestyles amongst learners and school communities.
Currently, there are 882 809 learners that are benefiting through this programme and the Department has allocated R 545.9 million towards its success.
The Department will continue to provide feeding to learners in quintiles 1 to 3 in both primary and secondary schools and to train the food handlers on basic hygiene and food preparation and will also roll-out a deworming programme for all learners in Grade R to Grade 7.
The Department will strive to create a cordial working relationship with institutions and agencies that are rendering this service.
Life skills, HIV and AIDS
Madam Speaker, the Department acknowledges that only a multi-pronged approach will assist in the implementation of the programmes aimed at improving Life Skills; reducing the rate and impact of HIV and AIDS; and prevention and management of TB infections.
To this course, the Department will train educators on implementing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and TB programmes for learners to be able to protect themselves from HIV and TB including alcohol and drug use as these are seen as gateways to the pandemic.
In addition, the Department will intensify the implementation of Care and Support programmes within the SADC adopted Care and Support for Teaching and Learning Framework.
Learners will equally be trained on combination prevention, co-curricular activities including Care and Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children.
The Department will continue to work with non-governmental organizations such as Imbumba Foundation and Banking Association South Africa to intensify the Carig4Girls programme.
The Department has put aside R19 million towards the attainment of this programme.
The Department of Basic Education has developed a Draft National Policy on HIV, STIs and TB. The draft policy articulates the Department’s approach and intention in responding to HIV, STIs and TB including the provision of sexual and reproductive health services within the education sector and has invited public comments before the policy could be finalized.
This is intended to replace the 1999 Department of Basic Education National Policy on HIV/AIDS for learners and educators in public schools as well as students and educators in Further Education and Training Institutions.
Let me also add my voice by requesting the public to make comments on this draft policy before it can be passed and published.
School infrastructure
Madam Speaker, we are mindful that the condition, location and nature of school infrastructure has an impact on access to the attainment of quality education.
We are making a clarion call to our parents to consider registering their children in schools closest to their homesteads for this will enhance programmes of ensuring that their children receive education in totality and will in turn improve the children's safety.
We are doing everything to ensure the improvement of school infrastructure in a sustainable fashion including the provisioning of water and sanitation facilities.
Key focus for this financial year will be to:
- Review costing of the backlogs in line with approved policies, plans and regulations, norms and standards.
- Implement an integrated district based maintenance plan for periodic and emergency repairs;
- Refurbish workshops at technical high schools;
- Construct 10 Grade R facilities in public ordinary schools;
- Develop the concept and plan for a school based day to day maintenance in collaboration with TVET Colleges;
- Complete the refurbishment of Phase two of the ECDI and
- Upgrade two special schools.
Madam Speaker, we have requested the public to comment and make suggestions to this Policy and Budget Speech using our social media platforms.
We were encouraged by the responses we received. Mduduzi Mazibuko is one of those who commented on our Facebook page and he said:
“Intervene in all multi-grade schools across the province. How will effective education take place when teaching Grade R to 7 learners in the same classroom? Some will attest with me that most drop outs and those who fail their matric are learners from multi-graded schools because they are robbed at the foundation. Is it really the best interest of a child?”
I wish to indicate to Mduduzi and to all who share his sentiments that government acknowledges that dilemma and has already moved with speed to close most multi- grade and unviable schools.
The learners from these schools were taken to the four newly built boarding schools. In addition to these four, a new boarding school will be built in the Nkangala District Municipality.
This is in keeping with the Comprehensive Rural Development Strategy (CRDP) and it intends to ensure that vulnerable children such as orphans and child - headed families are given the required support and a new lease of life through education.
The boarding schools are no- fee schools and well-resourced to ensure the provisioning of quality education.
Madam Speaker there are five new schools’ projects that are currently under construction to be completed in this financial year. They are Ebuhleni P School, Tekwane North Secondary School, Thekwane South Secondary, Ubuhlebuzile Secondary School and Khunjiliwe Secondary School.
Trichardsfontein and Mgalithwa Primary schools are schools that are being relocated to new sites and their construction is under planning. In addition to that Duvha and Welverdiend Primary Schools are also under planning.
The following schools are existing schools and are being demolished and substituted with new infrastructure. Mugena Secondary, Mpisane Primary, Middelburg Combined , Moses Mnisi Secondary, Mbhandule Primary, Mathibela Secondary, Panyana Primary, Tsandzanani Primary, N’wamahumane Primary School and Osizweni and Basizeni Special Schools.
Sanitation, water and electricity provision
The project to eradicate and replace inappropriate sanitation infrastructure, provide water reticulation systems and installation of electricity in schools is in progress.
The Department is working together with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, and the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust to accelerate the implementation of this project.
In this financial year, the Department has targeted 178 schools to benefit from the eradication of basic services backlog and has set aside a budget of R241 million.
Madam Speaker in total the Department has budgeted R960.4 million to address all school infrastructure related projects.
Business contributions and donations
The Department takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to the business community who are assisting in the improvement of the delivery of education in the province especially in the area of school infrastructure.
The collaboration within the Mpumalanga Education Development Trust (MEDT) is commended.
Through this collaboration we managed to bring to fruition, Acorns to Oaks Secondary School, MST Academy, and also the improvement of Sibongamandla Secondary School that was refurbished by Anglo American at a tune of R19 million.
On 12 June 2015, we will be handing over Makause Secondary School in Ogies at Emalahleni Local Municipality which was constructed by Glencore amounting to R75 million. This is patriotism of the highest degree that must be recorded in our hearts and in the history books of South Africa’s growth and development.
I must on behalf of the people of this province say that we are grateful for this benevolence. We are really thankful to Glencore, Anglo American and to all other private institutions that support the delivery of education in the Mpumalanga.
Provisioning of school furniture and LTSM
Madam Speaker, we endeavor to ensure that every learner has a textbook, stationery, a desk, a chair and a qualified teacher.
To this effect, the Department has allocated R360 million towards the procurement of LTSM for all public ordinary schools.
In addition, the Department allocated R100 million towards the procurement of school furniture for this financial year.
We are concerned about the high rate of non- retrieval of textbooks and vandalism of school infrastructure and furniture. I wish to urge school governing bodies and the school community to work with the Department to ensure that such instances do not occur.
I am making a clarion call to all former learners and their parents to return school textbooks and any school resource that is in their possession. It will be good to see the resurgence of what we used to call; "Operation Mazibuye."
The Department will work together with the Department of Correctional Services and the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust to remedy such problems by rehabilitating broken school furniture.
Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust
Madam Speaker, the main focus of the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust is to empower individuals and communities, primarily the youth, industry workers and government employees in disadvantaged communities.
The objective of the Trust is to provide an enabling environment for students to participate in the broader economic sphere of the province.
We have mandated this institution to create a system-wide partnership between Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges, SETAs and industry to assist graduates to obtain workplace training.
MRTT is also tasked with the responsibility to increase the intake of out-of-school youth into skills programmes, particularly in the hospitality and tourism, technical and entrepreneurial fields and to increase opportunities for post school youth by offering learnerships in identified skills programmes.
In addition, MRTT is expected to increase its capacity so as to expand artisan development programmes focusing on CRDP municipalities by providing mobile training services in technical skills.
The Department has allocated R128.3 million to MRTT to facilitate the development of 1 000 young people towards artisanship training in partnership with Hydro Arch and other industries.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges
I wish to commend the Department of Higher Education and Training for the smooth transfer of TVET Colleges and Adult Education Centres towards national competence with effect from 1 April 2015.
At the same time, I want to express our appreciation from these sectors for the cordial relationship which we enjoyed over the years. We take this opportunity to wish them all of the best.
We also welcome the plan by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Blade Nzimande, to increase the number of TVET Colleges and their enrolments in all provinces. I have been informed that for Mpumalanga there will be an establishment of Balfour campus at Dipaleseng Local Municipality which will be part of the Gert Sibande College.
We also welcome the establishment of the Community Education and Training College which will be housed at CN Mahlangu College in Siyabuswa in Nkangala District Municipality. This was gazetted on 16 March 2015.
University of Mpumalanga
Madam Speaker, in total there are 830 students who have been enrolled in the University of Mpumalanga from their current four delivery sites, i.e. the Main Campus in Mbombela local Municipality, Siyabuswa Campus, MRTT and Marapyane Agricultural College.
The University is a comprehensive institution since it offers qualifications from Higher Certificates to a Doctoral Degree.
The type of qualifications range from career -oriented, professional and general formative as a direct response to the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Path.
The construction work at the university has started and is progressing very well and in most instances they have exceeded their planned targets. I visited the University on Monday, 11 May 2015 and I was fascinated by the visionary leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso.
Prof has graced this occasion and I request that we recognize her.
I am told that Professor Mayekiso will be inaugurated as the Vice Chancellor on 30 May 2015 here in Mbombela Local Municipality.
I wish to take this o pportunity on behalf of the people of Mpumalanga to extend our best wishes to you and your team and at the same time to pledge our undivided support.
What needs to happen is for us to ensure that South Africa in particular the community of Mpumalanga is fully aware of the study programmes that the University offers and to ensure that they in turn are able to take advantage of the opportunities at their door steps.
I wish to thank the Premier, Honourable DD Mabuza and His Excellency the President of the Republic, Honourable Jacob Zuma, for ensuring that this University comes to fruition in our life time.
We equally appreciate the role played by the Department of Higher Education and Training under the stewardship of the Minister, Honourable Blade Nzimande for the outstanding work done.
Conclusion
Madam Speaker, I was inspired by a quotation in the National Development Plan that says:
“We acknowledge that each and every one of us is intimately and inextricably of this earth with its beauty and life -giving sources. That our lives on each are both enriched and complicated by what we have contributed to its condition.”
I wish to thank the African National Congress for making me the African Woman that I am today. Words will not describe the gratitute that is in my heart and soul for the positive contribution that this party has made in my life.
I also wish to use the opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the Premier, Honourable DD Mabuza for the confidence, guidance and support that he bestowed in me.
Ngiyatibongela Ngalokukhulu kutitfoba, Mshengu.
We acknowledge that had it not been for the unwavering support of the members of the Portfolio Committee under the stewardship of the Hon Thulare Madileng, we would not have gained much insight to advance the implementation of the programmes of the Department.
Siyabonga Qabane.
I will forever stay indebted to my colleagues within the Executive Council and its committee on Social Services for the insight and intellectual prowess they granted me at all times.
Mrs. Mahlasedi Mhlabane, the Head of Department, members of senior management and the entire staff of the Department and sister Departments that we work with, Ngiyatibongela ngoba ningente lomunye wenu.
The leadership of unions, associations of school governing bodies and the business community, leadership of the Moral Regeneration Movement, the media and to every person and organisation that contributes towards the delivery of quality education in our province. Ngiyanibonga Kakhulu.
I also wish to thank my mother who at all times is a reservoir and a pillar of strength for me and my family in particular. Let me also thank my husband for all the support that he has given me throughout these years. Tagane, Mabokwe, Malalachweni/Chueni Kwadule.
Request approval
On this note, I request that this august house approves the sixteen billion, eight hundred and fifty six million seven hundred and sixty nine thousand Rand (R16 856 769) for moving the education of the children of the Place of the Rising Sun forward in the 2015/16 Financial Year.
“We are Africa”- “Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo”
Ngiyabonga
