Question NW344 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
07 March 2019 - NW344
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)With reference to her reply to question 3389 on 5 December 2018, on what date (a) was the responsibility for adult basic education transferred to her department, (b) date did the negotiations regarding the post-provisioning model for community education and training (CET) colleges commence and (c) on what date does she expect to issue the post-provisioning model for the CET colleges; (2) whether she has found that the (a) work on the finalisation of the post-provisioning model for CET colleges was approached with the necessary urgency and (b) delays of more than a year were unavoidable and in the best interests of the learners and the country; if so, how was the conclusion reached in each case?
Reply:
1. (a) The function of Adult Education and Training (AET) was transferred to the Department of Higher Education and Training on 1 April 2015.
(b) The Post Provisioning Norms Task Team was established in April 2016.
(c) The finalisation of the post-provisioning model is subject to an extensive consultative process with stakeholders and bargaining councils scheduled to be completed by 30 September 2019 for implementation on 1 April 2020.
2. (a) The work was approached with urgency as the Task Team was set up within a year of the function shift.
(b) Immediately after the function shift, the Department undertook a process of understanding the challenges within the Adult Education and Training system. The scope of work for the task team is extensive given that Provincial Education Departments had varied approaches to the following matters:
- Application of the minimum requirements for appointment
- Nature of appointment
- Salaries and types of payment
- Working Hours
- Leave
- Performance management
- Allowances