Fourth Term programme; Committee Oversight Reports: Robben Island, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, KZN; Study Tour Report

Meeting report

Fourth Term Programme
The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.

The Chairperson asked if the proposed meetings could be scheduled to start at 9am.

Ms T Mampuru (Limpopo, ANC) agreed with the rescheduling of meetings to 9am in the morning.

The Chairperson proposed that both the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) meet with the Select Committee on 29 November since the deliberation with DBE will be brief, because it was to explain what had informed the ranking of the quintile system; as certain schools had complained about their rankings.

Ms T Mpambo- Sibhukwana (Western Cape, DA) agreed with the proposal.

Ms P Samka- Mququ (Eastern Cape, ANC) noted that on 15 November there will be an update on the Enyokeni Precinct but no update on the Thekwini TVET College in Melbourne, KZN.

The Chairperson responded that subsequent to the oversight visit at the Thekwini TVET College in Melbourne its Chief Director (CD) had called and noted a difficulty to acquire funds to fly down the Members of the Board, principal and Student Representatives that were to have convened with the Select Committee. Secondly, the CD noted that the college had resumed normal activity, as students were writing examinations at the time that the call took place. Personnel had reverted to work, the campus was functional and students were writing their examinations. In light of this update by the CD, the Select Committee would have to consider if the said representatives from the TVET College should yet attend a meeting in Parliament, as it would be an expensive expenditure for the College. Thirdly, the president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) was no longer a legitimate president of the institution, because he had finished his studies. In terms of the law, he could not continue with SRC presidency as an alumnus.

Ms L Dlamini (Mpumalanga, ANC) noted a called was received from a representative of the SRC requesting an update about the anticipated meeting with the Select Committee. In addition, she reminded Members that the Committee had made a commitment to assist Thekwini TVET College, because the cited problems were beyond the need to resume functionality - the students raised an issue about how the college was being managed. Unless, it was definitive that DBE would intervene in the matter, the commitment made should not be compromised, because doing such would impact on the image of the Select Committee on Education and Recreation. If the commitment was undermined, the issues that were noted as matters of concern could be compounded. The CD was asked in person if the relevant persons could be transported to Parliament, of which he had answered “yes”; thus, it was worrisome that it was no longer the case. It was, therefore, essential that the Committee sets a day aside to proceed meeting the college officials and student representatives, because compromising on it would jeopardise the image of the Committee.

Mr C Hattingh (North West, DA) agreed with Ms Dlamini that the situation of the college was not one that should be left alone, as there were many issues that required attention. It was noted that examinations were taking place, notwithstanding that the students have had so little classroom time for the bulk of the year to have adequately prepared for it. The academic year proved a waste and was a failure for those students. Either the Select Committee reverts to the premises as a follow-up oversight visit, or acquire funds for the relevant representatives of the college to convene at Parliament. Another option could be a video-conference, which could proceed for three hours or so, but everyone could witness each other participating; as opposed to receiving a pleasant one-sided report as the definitive synopsis.

Ms Mampuru agreed with the proposals, particularly that the Select Committee should revisit the college, since it was costly for the delegation of the college to convene at Parliament. Due to the magnitude of concerns raised, it was necessary that the Committee conduct a three-day visit.

The Chairperson noted that since the last meeting for the year was on 5 December, the Committee would need to revise the probability for an additional oversight visit fitted into the programme. Since meetings took place on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the oversight could possibly commence on a Thursday.

Ms Mampuru clarified that although meetings were not scheduled for Thursdays, those days were usually allocated for party Caucuses. Therefore, proposal was that the Committee leaves Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, spends the entire Thursday and then reverts to their prospective provinces at noon on Friday.

The Chairperson noted that it was necessary to identify if the proposal could take place, as availability of each Committee Member should be sought after first.

Ms Mampuru responded that since review of the programme was being done there was currently no reflection of party Caucuses that could hinder the possibility of an oversight visit on a Thursday.

Mr D Stock (Northern Cape, ANC) asked if attendance on the oversight visit was compulsory? Thursdays were usually allocated for Party Caucuses and other commitments were prevalent on those days too, for instance Ad hoc Committees. Therefore, if the oversight visit commences on a Thursday it would personally conflict with an established commitment. It should not be assumed that that each Committee Member was available. The most suitable probability is that the oversight visit took place upon invitation to accommodate availability. Since Thursdays were not days allocated for the Select Committee on Education and Recreation, the inability to attend the oversight visit should be respected.

The Chairperson understood the view expressed, but upon review of the programme and given the nature of the oversight visit there was no other time that could accommodate such a meeting. If there were an inability to attend due to a valid reason, the Committee would consider the conflict of commitments. However, the Select Committee has collectively taken a resolution to pursue follow-up, and since the delegation of the college had encountered complications in coming to Parliament, it seemed fit that the Committee goes there. Since a commitment for follow-up was made it was essential that its completion took place.

Ms Mampuru elaborated that the Chairperson should follow parliamentary procedure regarding the matter, whereby a letter is written to the Chief Whip requesting an allocation for the oversight visit on a Thursday.

Ms Dlamini proposed an alternative should the Thursday allocation be declined. The Select Committee could convene its regular Wednesday morning meeting session on the premises of the college, then finish the oversight visit during the afternoon.

The Chairperson indicated that such would not be problem and shall be considered duly, and asked for a mover for the adoption of the fourth term programme.

Mr Hattingh adopted the 4th Term Programme with amendments.

Ms Mpambo- Sibhukwana seconded the motion.

The programme was duly adopted.

Oversight to Robben Island on 8th March 2017
The Committee went through the document page by page.

Members were satisfied that it was an accurate reflection of the visits.

Ms Mampuru moved for the adoption of the Oversight to Robben Island on 8th March 2017 Report without amendments.
Ms Mpambo- Sibhukwana seconded the motion.

The report was adopted.

Oversight visit to Mpumalanga from 27th- 31st March 2017

The Committee went through the document page by page.

The Chairperson noted repetition within paragraph 4 on page 5, which was a grammatical error.

Ms Dlamini moved for the adoption of the Oversight visit to Mpumalanga from 27th- 31st March 2017 Report with amendment of the grammatical error.

Ms Mampuru seconded the motion.

The report was adopted.

Oversight visit to the Northern Cape from 14th-18th August 2017

The Committee went through the document page by page.

Members were satisfied that it was an accurate reflection of the visit.

Ms Mpambo- Sibhukwana moved for the adoption of the Oversight visit to the Northern Cape from 14th -18th August 2017 Report without amendments.

Ms Samka- Mququ seconded the motion.

The report was adopted.

Oversight visit to Kwazulu Natal from 04th- 08th September 2017

The Committee went through the document page by page.

Ms Mpambo- Sibhukwana moved for the adoption of the Oversight visit to Kwazulu Natal from 04th- 08th September 2017 Report with grammatical amendments.

Ms Dlamini seconded the motion.

The report was adopted.

Study tour report to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia from 10th- 19th July 2017

The Committee went through the document page by page.

Members were satisfied that it was an accurate reflection of the visits.

Ms Mampuru moved for the adoption of the Study tour report to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia from 10th- 19th July 2017 Report without amendments.
Ms Mpambo- Sibhukwana seconded the motion.

The report was adopted.

Progress report by ECDoE on 2016 EC TPTTP recommendations

The Committee went through the document page by page.

Members were satisfied that it was an accurate reflection of the visit.

Ms Dlamini moved for the adoption of the Progress report by ECDoE on 2016 EC TPTTP recommendations without amendments.

Ms Mampuru seconded the motion.

The report was adopted.

The meeting was adjourned.