(Ouma) Tsopo
22 March 2006
Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Premier, Me Beatrice Marshoff,
Honourable members of the executive council,
Members of the Free State Provincial Legislature,
Members of the House of Traditional Leaders,
Mayors and councillors,
Members of management of the FSDoE,
Members of teacher organisations,
Representatives of the private sector,
School principals and teachers,
All our social partners,
Esteemed guests,
Members of representative council of learners,
Media representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear comrades and friends.
3
Introduction
This 2006/07 Budget for Education in the Free State of R5,3 billion is
dedicated to the children and Youth of this Province; for their heroic
struggles over the last 30 years: in their struggles to usher Peoplesâ
Education for All.
In celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Youth Day and 10 years of
the Constitution, our theme for this financial year is âConsolidating 30 Years
of Youthâs Struggles towards Education for allâ.
Former President Nelson Mandela in his book âLong Walk to Freedom,â
describes the struggles of the youth we honour today as follows: âThe events of
16 June 1976 reverberated in every town and township of South Africa. Suddenly
young people of South Africa were fired with the spirit of protest and
rebellion Bantu Education had come to haunt its creators, for these angry and
audacious young people were its progenyâ. (Mandela 1994: 575 â 576).
It is in that spirit that we do not forget those Youth who laid their lives
in pursuit of the ideals of free and compulsory basic education for all.
As the Free State Department of Education we are proud of what we have
achieved in 2005/06 financial year.
* The Department hosted the first Provincial Education Conference to
strategise and consolidate implementable programmes;
* Posts of clerks and cleaners were filled after the moratorium was
lifted;
* 50 multimedia centres at 50 schools were established and are fully
equipped;
* 6 375 computers were provided to schools and installation will take place
during the end of March into April;
* The Department commenced with two schools, EE Monese Secondary and Dr Mngoma
Primary Schools;
* 60 schools were provided with water;
* 32 schools were provided with sanitation; and
* 58 schools were provided with electricity;
* 3117 learners were transported in four districts;
* By 1 March 2006, 352 596 learners were fed through the NSNP;
* National Curriculum Statement was implemented in grades 7 â 10;
* 50 incentives were awarded to schools, with secondary schools getting R150
000 and primary schools R100 000;
* 47 schools were given awards for the beautification and cleanliness
project;
* Launched and extended the Dinaledi School Initiative from six to 30
schools;
* Transferred R6,6 million to Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges for
student support;
* We will also be providing school uniforms in partnership with business to
vulnerable learners in all the five districts;
* Honourable Speaker, I am humbled and honoured to present to this democratic
legislature the education policies, priorities and budget for the financial
year 2006/2007. The Free State Department of Education (FSDoE) remains key in
determining the future of our children and remains a decisive driver in our
effort of building a winning nation.
I stand here mindful of the awesome responsibilities that lie ahead, with
regard to the provision of quality education and the challenges thereof. I,
however, take comfort in knowing that Honourable Members of this House,
regardless of political affiliation, place the education of our children and
the nation as a priority and that collectively we will engage the challenges
that face us head on.
Programme 1
1. Administration
The objective of administration is to provide overall management of the
education system in accordance with the National Education Policy Act, the
Public Finance Management Act, and other policies.
The overall budget for Administration for 2006/07 is R353,986 million.
1.1 Human Resource Systems Development
The Department will establish a Human Resource Management System to
supplement and improve on existing systems such as PERSAL. A business plan has
already been submitted.
1.2 Human Resource Development
The overall skills levy for 2006/07 is R30 million. This will be utilised
for full-time and part-time bursaries for educators and public servants,
various re-training courses and assessor training for institution based office
educators and learnerships.
1.3 Educator Development
In support of this programme, we have earmarked R4 million for teacher
development. This is meant to address in-service training focused towards
improving reading, writing and numeracy, as well as the improvement of
Mathematics, Science and Technology and the new Curriculum. Some 909 bursaries
have been allocated to under-qualified educators while 670 bursaries have been
allocated to un-qualified educators.
Some 516 bursaries were made available to re-skill and enhance
qualifications of FET Colleges and office-based educators in scarce skills is
subjects such as accounting, auditing, guidance, information communication and
technology, maths, physical science, sport management, just to mention a
few.
Fourteen bursaries were allocated to members of broad management, while and
allocation of 162 bursaries was made to capacitate the lower level employees. A
total of 1 000 bursaries will be allocated in 2006 as follows:
* 129 for under-qualified educators;
* 72 for un-qualified educators;
* 340 for re-training of educators;
* 206 for enhancement of educators;
* 157 for enhancement of lower level Public Servants; and
* 96 for enhancement of higher level Public Servants.
1.4 Management
We intend to establish an Internal Audit Unit in 2006/2007 by appointing a
Chief Audit Executive and Internal Audit Manager. This will assist us to
realise our objective to improve risk management and the internal control
environment and enhance good governance. This will further ensure efficient
utilisation of resources and assets and sound financial management in terms of
relevant legislation.
1.5 EMIS
The Education Management and Information System (EMIS) will receive major
enhancement as we shall establish a fully networked EMIS that encompasses all
levels from schools to districts and head office. This will also entail the
building of capacity in the utilisation of information to improve decision
making and manage projects. R36,530 million has been allocated for the
sub-programme.
Programme 2
2. Public ordinary schools
Honourable Speaker, the objective of Public Ordinary Schools is to provide
education from Grades 1 â 12 in accordance with the South Africans Schools Act
of 1996. As this programme deals with the core of the Department, a large
portion of the departmental budget is channelled into this programme.
2.1 School Funding â No Fee School
Section 3(1) of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 provides that it is
compulsory for learners to attend school. It places the responsibility on
parents to cause their children to attend school.
This year we shall give effect to Education for all and have already
declared No Fee Schools in 1 246 schools in Quintile 1 in the Free State at the
cost of R158,7 million. For the first time in the history of this Province, 229
789 learners (which is 34,8% of the total learner population) from poor
families will not pay school fees. We shall allocate R703 per learner in 2006,
and in 2007 we shall extend this to quintile two schools.
2.2 LTSM and NCS
The Department shall focus on the implementation of the New Curriculum
Statement (NCS) with Learner and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) supplied to
schools at the cost of R170 million for both Section 21 and Non-Section 21
schools.
Catalogues will be ready for schools by May 2006. Training of educators on
NCS grade 8, 9 and 11 will take place this year. NCS will be implemented for
grades 7 and 10 this year. Further assessment and workshops will take place to
ensure smooth implementation in the province. Additional money was made
available for provision of supplementary LSM.
The new curriculum requires investments in in-service training and
monitoring system to measure its impact. We shall also consolidate the skills
knowledge of educators, specifically linked to training in the NCS in grades 8
and 9 to support implementation in grades 11 and 12 in 2007. The relevant
sections of the Department have already drawn business plans for these
programmes.
2.3 Governance and Governance Councils
Honourable Speaker, management and governance in schools will receive a
priority in 2006/07. R7 million is earmarked for governance and Governance
Councils, the election and training of School Governing Bodies (SGBs),
Representative Councils of Learners (RCL) and other Governance Structures.
Elections of SGBs will be held from May to June 2006. A progressive team of
SGBs and Governance Trainers have been set up. It comprises principals and
SMGDs, which will be incentives. The idea is to establish a training team base
for trainers of governance structures of about 600 members over three years who
are accredited as trainers. They will undergo an intensive training of 26
days.
2.4 Matric Results
Honourable Speaker, we should be cautious to use Matric results, as is
sometimes done, as the only yardstick to measure our performance as a
Department. Last year, our province retained its position three and attained
77,8% pass rate although there was a slight decline of 0,9% from 78,7% in 2004.
The number of failing schools consequently increased from 14 in 2004 to 24 in
2005 with only seven of these schools falling below 40%.There have been a
continuous number of schools that achieved a 100% pass over the last three
years.
This reflects a continuing improvement in quality especially in the light of
the increase in participation in the 2005 Senior Certificate in the province.
Our learner attainment strategy will include focused district visits,
improvement of management and governance capacity, the re-training of school
principals and deputy principals, improved quality teaching, quarterly
performance reviews and monitoring and support visits to the affected schools.
We also want to provide for credible, leak-free internal and external
examinations and common examinations.
Our target is 100% compliance with Umalusi standards. We did well in this
regard in the 2005 examinations. Our challenge now is to support our schools to
dramatically increase the number of endorsements and thereby increase the
numbers of our learners going on to higher education. We remain confident that,
supported by our interventions, the FSDoE ought to be able to deliver the
targeted pass rate in 2006.
2.5 School Beautification and Incentives for Schools
This project was started in 2005. The campaign is a conscious effort by the
Department. It is aimed at revolutionising the appearance, mood, taste and
environment of institutions of learning in the province. The campaign is aimed
at ensuring that a beneficial atmosphere of teaching, learning and safety is
created and prevails at schools. Outstanding beautiful primary and secondary
schools in the province were given awards on the 18 March 2006 to beautify
their surroundings and environment particularly in the historically
disadvantaged schools and communities.
2.6 Rationalisation of Schools
The process of rationalisation of schools will ensure that schools with
empty classrooms equip and utilise them as centres of extensive learning and
training in the form of laboratories, libraries, media and computer centres.
With this process, platoon of schools will be reduced. The problem of compound
workloads that lead to poor quality teaching and learning in schools that are
not properly phased, will be addressed. Through this process the schools will
be correctly phased.
2.7 Safety in Schools
A Departmental School Safety Policy will be made available to all schools
during 2006. A safer Schoolsâ Project has been launched in conjunction with the
Department of Public Safety and Liaison. Site visits during March by the
Provincial Committee and the winning schools per District will be announced
during April. A provincial winner will also be announced at the same
function.
The Department will enter into partnership with Business Against Crime in the
new financial year. Fifty schools will be targeted. We will spend R1,7 million
for the project.
2.8 Infrastructure Development
The Five-Year Sustainable Infrastructure Development Plan of the Department
is aiming at providing access to basic education facilities and services
through the elimination of backlogs and maintenance of existing facilities. The
Department has continued to build partnerships with different stakeholders to
improve the status of infrastructure in our schools. We will continue to ensure
that no learner receives education under trees and in unsafe and dilapidated
structures and conditions.
Honourable Speaker, I am sure âall the trees of the field shall clap their
handsâ for us (to borrow from the State of the Nation Address) if we can work
hard to eliminate unacceptable and unsafe education infrastructure in our
Province. Two new schools, namely, Kopanang Secondary in Bloemfontein and
Mautse Primary School in Rosendal will be built during the 2006/07 financial
year.
The schools that will be completed in 2006/2007 are:
* Marematlou Secondary,
* JC Motumi Secondary,
* Khotso-Uxolo Secondary,
* EE Monese Secondary,
* Hlaboloha Primary,
* Dr Mngoma Primary,
* Mokgwabong Primary, and
* Nthuthuzelo.
Tshepong II, Tumisang, Unity, Bluegum Bush, JJ Kubheka and SS Paki were
completed in 2005. Lourier Park Primary will open in April 2006. The Department
will consult with the community on the opening of the school.
2.9 Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Our Public Private Partnership Programme is geared to fast-track educational
infrastructure development through the building of 10 new schools,
refurbishment and additional facilities at 24 existing schools. This will also
include refurbishment and additional facilities at the four FET Colleges as
well as refurbishment and additional facilities of Jimmy Roos School.
2.10 Maintenance and Renovations
The Department will continue with major and minor renovations projects in
identified schools. Twenty schools will be fenced in the new financial year in
order to curb the rate of vandalism. The schools have been identified. An
amount of R4 million has been allocated for this project for 2006/07 financial
year.
With the Extended Public Works Programme local labour and small, medium and
micro enterprises (SMMEs) will largely be employed as it was the case with the
588 schools, which were renovated in the 2005/06 financial year. The quality of
work done will be closely monitored.
The maintenance of existing good school infrastructure is also important.
This will save us huge rehabilitation costs in the future.
2.11 Basic Services
The provisioning of basic services like water, sanitation and electricity to
schools remains one of the priorities of the Infrastructure Development Plan of
the Department. The elimination of these backlogs also requires continued
partnerships with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), ESKOM,
municipalities and other partners. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
has been consulted for assistance in the provision of water to some of the
schools as they have done in the previous years.
I also wish to thank Nketoane Municipality for the role they have played in
providing basic services in schools under their jurisdiction. We appreciate
their efforts in helping us better the lives of our people. We will also
improve the five Education Resource centres to the total amount of R1 million.
With effect from 1 April 2006 the five Education Resource Centres will be
placed under District Management to bring about more synergy with Institutional
Support. The Department will also spend R3,8 million on computer hardware for
15 schools and R8 million for media centres.
Programme 3
3. Independent schools
The purpose of Programme 3 is to render financial support to qualifying
Independent schools in Grades 1 â 12. Up to the end of 2005/06 financial year,
the school fee charged by schools in January 1998 was used to determine the
specific subsidy level (category) of independent schools.
Independent schools were re-categorised and schools were informed of their
new categories on 21 August 2005. The new categories will be implemented as
from 1 April 2006. Schools will remain in these subsidy categories until such
time as a new Fee Base Year is announced.
The Department has also agreed with the schools in October 2005 on learner
enrolments for 2006. No independent school will be allowed to increase
enrolments during 2006 and expect to be subsidised for this increase. This will
result in budget stability for this sector. The budget for Independent Schools
has increased from R26,422 million in 2005/06 to R31,684 million in
2006/07.
Programme 4
4. SYRAC and Inclusive Education
Honourable Speaker, the purpose of Public School Education is to provide
compulsory public education in special schools in accordance with the South
African Schools Act and White Paper five on Inclusive Education.
4.1 Inclusive Education
Inclusive Education is intended to transform all education to ensure that
disabled learners receive the support required in order to ensure access to
education programmes and institutions. The overall budget for Public Special
Schools for 2006/07 is R159,803 million. This amounts to an increase of 7,8%
from the 2005/06. This will enable the Department to consolidate the
strengthening of Special Schools as well as to comply with requirements for the
Special Education needs of the disabled. R25,495 million is in respect of
subsidies and R1,6 million is earmarked for improvement in physical
infrastructure. Three Full Service Schools will be established to ensure that
the schools can cater for the needs of Inclusive Education according to the
White Paper five on Inclusive Education. We will also look at the need for
additional support staff such as educator assistants, psychologists, social
workers, nurses, etc. in these schools.
4.2 SYRAC
School Sports, Youth, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SYRAC) will receive
special attention in 2006/07 as we celebrate the contribution of youth to
progressive education. SYRAC has additional earmarked fund of two million rand
to specifically improve the quality of participation in sport, recreation,
arts, culture and youth programmes as we celebrate 30 years of youth
contribution towards a free and democratic South Africa. The three year
partnership with selected sport federations and soccer clubs has been
terminated.
Programme 5
Further Education and Training (FET)
Mr Speaker, the purpose of the programme is to provide Further Education and
Training at public FET Colleges in accordance with the Further Education and
Training Act - Act 98 of 1998. A total amount of R155,784 has been allocated
compared to R152 million in 2005/06 for the Further Education and Training
(FET) for the 2006/07 financial year. This includes the R30 million conditional
grants for FET Recapitalisation to improve their capacity to contribute to
skills development training in the province and in the country.
The allocation according to the four FET Colleges is as follows:
* Flavius Mareka FET College will get R6 million,
* Goldfield FET College will be allocated R10 million,
* Maluti FET College will be allocated R5 million, while
* Motheo FET College will be allocated R9 million.
The recapitalisation plans for the four FET Colleges cover aspects like
improvement of management and governance, staff development, infrastructure
rehabilitation and upgrading, modern equipment and new learnerships.
The Department is also looking very seriously at improving the conditions of
service for educators who served this sector for a long time without basic
benefits like housing and medical aid. The Department will provide for the
bursaries of poor FET learners who cannot proceed with their studies. However,
the private sector sending artisans for their specific learnerships provides
for their bursaries. Educators in these institutions will over and above the
Educator Development programmes, have training courses as provided for by the
Recapitalisation plans. The marketing and responsiveness of the FET Colleges is
very crucial, this objective is intended to make the public and private sector
more aware of the new programmes offered in the new merged and recapitalised
FET Colleges.
The Colleges, in turn, will respond to the economic needs in terms of Skills
Development needs mentioned in the Free State Growth and Development Strategy
(FSGDS) and Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative (AsgiSA). The skills
acquired at FET Colleges would lead to job creation, expanded economic
opportunities and economic growth. This is the way to go in the fight against
social deprivation and for the betterment of the lives of our people. This
investment in infrastructure and skills development will contribute to AsgiSA
and the FSGDS in helping grow the economy by six percent per annum up to 2014 â
this in support of national targets of six percent economic growth by 2010 as
articulated by Premier Marshoff in her State of the Province Address on 10
February 2006.
Programme 6
5. Adult Basic Education and Training
The provision of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) in accordance
with the ABET Act will increase significantly. The 2006/2007 allocation is
R106,304 million. EPWP training programmes for ABET learners in the province
are funded by relevant sector education and training authorities (SETAs). The
funds cover the service provider and learners in terms of stipends. Through the
partnerships with other sister departments, employees of such provincial
departments will be given the opportunity to obtain qualifications. The norms
and standards for ABET Education developed nationally will be processed for
implementation. The Department will continue to work with the national
Department at the improvement of the working conditions of ABET Educators.
Programme 7
7. Early Childhood Development (ECD)
Our legal mandate as an Education Department is to provide schooling for
learners of compulsory school going age, and to subsidise Grade R schooling for
pre-Grade one learner. The total allocation of R49,638 million has been set
aside for this programme. Mr Speaker, I remain convinced that a dedicated focus
on Early Childhood Development in our province is central to achieving the
desired outcomes over the medium and long term. The ECD Programme will receive
a massive 47% increase as we move towards the universalising of Grade R in
2010. We will cater for 90% of funding of Grade R in Public Ordinary Schools.
We will also add 100 additional Grade R classes in these schools. The
Department intends to reach out to 29 538 learners in support of both the ECD
in schools and in community-based centres in 2006/2007. Grade R National Norms
and Standards will be implemented in 2006/2007. The Department will improve the
salaries of the 285 practitioners in community-based sites.
Programme 8
8. Auxiliary and associated services
Honourable Speaker, as a public service institution, which finds its mandate
within the context of a developmental state that represents the interests of
the poorest of the poor of our country, we will continue to develop strategic
intervention programmes that indeed reflect that we are a pro-poor, caring
organisation. Funds allocated for this programme are guaranteed to continue the
process of transforming the Department, to invest in the human resources
through development programmes, to provide effective management of examinations
and to continue to battle against the scourge of HIV and AIDS in education.
R307,606 million has been allocated for this programme.
8.1 HIV and AIDS (Life Skills Education)
Our conditional grant allocation for the promotion of HIV and AIDS Life
Skills Education stands at R8,424 million. The business plan for this programme
makes provision for:
* peer education seminars for 600 learners in our five districts;
* care and support programme in basic counselling for 150 educators; and
* the training of 1 000 officials for the management of HIV and AIDS in
schools.
8.2 Learner Support Programme
Mr Speaker, the Learner Support Programme is a combination of the Learner
Transport Project, the Hostel Project and the National School Nutrition
Programme. This is a flagship programme of the Department as it concretely
responds to the pledge we have made to the public to fight poverty and create a
better life for all.
8.2.1 National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP)
NSNP is intended to contribute to enhance learning capacity through school
feeding. The plan is to feed all learners in all primary schools. The
Department will pay a R500 stipend per helper per month in all schools where
cooked meals will be prepared. In schools where bread menu is provided a
stipend of R300 will paid per helper per month. The ratio for determining the
number of helpers is 1: 200, which is one helper for 200 learners.
8.2.2 Learner Transport
We shall consolidate the Learner Support Programmes in the form of Learner
Transport for learners walking between 5 to 21 kilometres. In order to deal
with the challenges facing rural children, transport to farm school learners is
operational in four districts and will be implemented in Xhariep district in
2006/07. In 2006/07 we shall increase the number of learners to be transported.
Currently the project caters only for learners in farm schools. However, the
Department intends to launch a pilot project for learners in urban areas.
8.2.3 Farm School Hostel Project
The hostel accommodation programme for learners from non-viable farm school
is implemented. A total of 1 011 learners have been accommodated in seven
hostels in the 2005/06 financial. Four more hostels will become operational
during the 2006/07 financial year. The target for 2006/07 is 1 423 for 12
hostels. This will cost the Department R14,630 million. The Department will
continue with the Department of Social Development in the Orphan Programme and
will improve the systems.
8.2.4 Values in Education
We will systematically increase the number of learners and schools who
understand and respect our heritage, the importance of our National Anthem and
National Symbols and can take a stand against racism, sexism and xenophobia.
This is important considering our pre-1994 apartheid legacy. Three-hundred
schools have been targeted for 2006/07 and these will be profiled. R3,478
million has been set aside for this project.
Conclusion
I conclude by reiterating that we commit this Peopleâs Budget to deliver the
strategic plans of the FSDoE with a view to realise our vision to guarantee a
better education system for all our people.
Honourable Speaker, the priorities that I have outlined will be the
foundation for our work for the 2006/07 financial year. Allow me, therefore, to
express my sincere appreciation to all our partners in the public and private
sectors, the donor community, non-governmental organisations, community- and
faith-based organisations, unions, higher education institutions and all other
stakeholders for their continued support in helping us realise our vision and
mission of improving the lives of our citizens by providing them with quality
education and training. Without your individual and collective efforts there
would be no meaningful education transformation in our province and
country.
I should like to record my gratitude and appreciation to all teachers,
principals, learning facilitators, school management and governance developers,
teacher organisations, governance structures and learner organisations. A
special word of appreciation to the Superintendent-General, Executive and
Senior Management, the Communication component as well as all employees of the
FSDoE for their sterling work, often under difficult conditions. With your
commitment and support, it becomes possible to realise our goals. May I offer
my heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Premier, Ms Beatrice Marshoff; the
Executive Council, Portfolio Committees and the Legislature for their personal
and professional support that sustains me always. I also wish to offer a word
of thanks to my party, the African National Congress. I wish to express my
thanks to the Support Staff in my Office. Finally, I wish to record special
thanks to my husband, children and Ms Matsiliso Tsubane for all their
inspiration, and the support and assistance they have always given.
I thank you.
Acronyms
ABET Adult Basic Education and Training
ASGISA Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative
BEE Black economic Empowerment
ECD Early Childhood Development
EPWP Extended Public Works Programme
ERC Education Resource Centre
FET Further Education and Training
FSPGDS Free State Provincial Growth and Development Strategy
GET General Education and Training
GETC General Education and Training Certificate
ICT Information Communication and Technology
IT Information Technology
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation
NSNP National School Nutrition Programme
OBE Outcomes-based Education
PPP Public Private Partnership
RCL Representative Council of Learners
SETA Sector Education and Training Authority
SGB School Governing Body
SMGD School Management and Governance Developer
SMME Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise
SYRAC Sport, Youth development, Recreation, Arts and Culture
Issued by: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government
22 March 2006
Source: Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fsdoe.fs.gov.za)
