Question NW3607 to the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) constantly monitors progress on the implementation of its infrastructure projects and the associated expenditure.

For projects implemented under the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) Programme, the DBE Project Managers, together with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) that consists of professionals from the built environment, review performance on a monthly basis through the National Steering Committee Meetings. The PSU, via its Provincial Co-ordinators, undertakes project site visits to assess progress, to view problems and gather information. Where needed, they facilitate meetings between project partners to provide advice where possible, share experiences/good practices and provide specialist advice about contract and construction management issues.

For schools implemented by Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) utilising the Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) Funds and their Provincial Equitable Share, the DBE receives progress reports from each PED on a monthly basis and reviews them during the Infrastructure Heads of Education Department Committee (HEDCOM) Sub-com Meetings and provides guidance and assistance to PEDs on technical and project management matters so as to ensure timeous completion of their school infrastructure projects and to improve the expenditure of their allocated budget.