Appropriations committee briefed on spending patterns
The Standing Committee on Appropriations received a briefing from the Department of Basic Education on its fourth quarterly report on the expenditure for 2015/16 and 2016/17 first quarter expenditure outcome.
The Committee noted with concern the poor performance of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (Asidi). In the fourth quarter, the department underspent by about R424m on the programme. During the presentation, the department attributed underspending to rationalisation of schools as the main reason for the poor performance of Asidi.
Members of the Committee impressed upon the department that in quarterly expenditure reports submitted to it by the National Treasury, a key challenge confronting the rollout of school infrastructure and Asidi was due to the difficulty of replacing underperforming implementing agents and service providers.
The Committee indicated that prioritising maintenance reduces the long-term costs of refurbishing infrastructure and ensures a higher level of functionality, which means better school services. Most concerning was the fact that only 85% of the maintenance budget had been spent and that not all schools had adequately planned and fully funded maintenance budgets.
Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations is very important for transparent and effective budget expenditure. The Committee felt very strongly and impressed upon the department its deep concerns on issues of payments within 30 days, non-compliant implementing agents, over- or under-expenditure, non-compliance with grant conditions and consequence management.
Partnership is critical for service delivery success and the Department of Basic Education was urged to strengthen its stakeholder relations and how they work together with provincial departments. The Committee recommended that the department formulate partnership frameworks with implementing agents that will work in a collaborative manner that will have an impact on service delivery.
The partnership will look at pillars such as quality education, infrastructure, water and sanitation.
The Committee said the blame game between the Public Works and the departments will not be accepted as an excuse when there has been a failure to deliver services.
The Kha Ri Gude Literacy Project under - spending on its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) incentive grant is attributed to the delays in finalising the calculation and late submission of data in the EPWP electronic system.
The Committee said what is a cause for concern is that the EPWP Kha Ri Gude incentive grant is a flagship programme in terms of poverty relief strategies. It was important that all beneficiaries of the EPWP are paid on time.
The Committee called on the department to address the unpaid educators as reported on various media platforms. The Committee agreed that this is an urgent matter and the department undertook to follow up on the matter and ensure that any unpaid teachers are assisted. In addition, the Committee said the department should send a written report about the circuit offices in Bushbuckridge where it has been reported that schooling of learners has been halted.
The Committee called upon the department to place the Eastern Cape Province on its priority list and consider it a legacy project and thus speedily address all infrastructure and performance issues confronting the province.
The Committee emphasised the fast-tracking of school rationalisation and finalisation of Asidi within the context of the radical socio-economic transformation – and that should be carried out efficiently and effectively.
Overall, the Committee said it wants to see the department succeed and that it wants to see successful partnerships in ensuring delivery of quality education for all, underpinned by value for money.
Media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson please contact:
Yoliswa Landu
Tel: 021 403 8203
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
