Question to the Minister of Social Development - NW2179

04 January 2021 - NW2179

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)Whether, with reference to her department’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) workstreams focusing on a response to Covid-19, she will provide Ms A L A Abrahams with a detailed list of (a) the full names and employment particulars of all persons who make up her department’s ECD workstreams and (b)(i) all dates on which the specified workstreams have met since their formation and (ii) the attendance registers thereof; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether the workstreams recommended that her department should spend R1,3 billion on ECD compliance monitors; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether all members are invited to attend every workstream meeting; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) what is the purpose of the workstream meetings and (b) how were the specified persons selected to form part of the workstreams; (5) whether the workstreams constitute a permanent body which will consult on ECD matters; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

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Reply:

(1)(a) The details of the members of each of the nine workstreams (8 workstreams were initially established, with a ninth one on communication established later) that were established, numbered as Annexure A.

(b)(i) Each workstream managed its own process to achieve the objectives of a workstream, under the lead of the workstream leader. The workstreams determined their own meeting dates.

(ii) The meetings of the workstreams under the lead of each workstream leader were held virtually, and as such no signed attendance registers were kept.

(2) No, the workstream did not recommend that R1,3 billion should be used for the appointment of compliance monitors. It should however be noted that initially the Presidency approached the department indicating that the department has been allocated R1.3 billion as a stimulus relief package for early childhood development sector. The department therefore deemed it fit to appoint the compliance monitors to support the ECD sector programmes. Subsequently, national treasury indicated that the department has to bid for the funds for them to be considered for the allocation. The department therefore developed a proposal for bidding of funds. This proposal was consulted with the National Inter-Sectoral Forum for Early Childhood Development established in terms of paragraph 7.3.3.5 of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (2015) civil society secretariat regarding this programme as announced by the Minister to obtain views and inputs to complete the proposal that was submitted to National Treasury, of which ECD compliance officer is only a sub-component. National Treasury approved an allocation of R588 728 000; allocated for employment risk support that will benefit existing ECD workforce, 25 500 compliance support officers already employed in ECD centres, registration support officers who will support registration of ECD programmes recorded through Vangasali campaign and sustenance of 1 809 social workers who were appointed on contract.

(3) The workstreams were established at the meeting led by the Department of Social Development on 26 May 2020, where-after the leaders of each workstream had to take the responsibility to convene workstream meetings. The Department of Social Development invited all members of the workstreams to the general meetings where feedback was provided.

(4)(a) The below indicated the main purpose of each workstream:

Workstream 1: Data and information on the current situation and the implementation of measures.

Workstream 2: Assessment of ECD services: Covid 19 compliance before and after re-opening (including self-assessment)

Workstream 3: Support package (what is needed to support the re-opening)

Workstream 4: Protocols for re-opening;

Workstream 5: COVID-19 education and awareness as part of early childhood development programmes (for staff and children)

Workstream 6: ECD Programme Re-design (Including parent programmes), looking at adjustments in early childhood development programmes to accommodate the minimum health, safety and social distancing measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19.

Workstream 7: Practitioner training and capacity building;

Workstream 8: Monitoring and Evaluation of implementation

Workstream 9: Communication and General COVID 19 awareness.

(b) During the meeting dated 26 May 2020 when the workstreams were established, officials were invited to volunteer to serve on the respective workstreams to facilitate representation based on interest. During this meeting participants also agreed on the leadership for each workstream.

(5) The workstreams were established for the purpose indicated above and were not permanent. The workstreams have served their purpose well and the work assigned to the workstream was concluded by mid-June 2020. The Department of Social Development is continuing to consult with the ECD sector through the civil society secretariat of the National Inter-Sectoral Forum for Early Childhood Development. The latter is the official mechanism established by policy for engagement and consultation with civil society.

ANNEXURE “A”

Membership for the work streams to support the DSD Inter-sectoral ECD COVID 19 Task team

Work stream 1: Data and Information

Name

Name of Organisation

Email Address

Lead/

Member

Sumaya Hendricks

Nelson Mandela Foundation

Work stream 3 : Support Package
No	Name	Name of Organisation	Email Address	Lead/ Member
1.	Zaheera Mohammed	Ilifa Labantwana	[email protected]	Lead
2.	Patsy Pillay	New Beginnings	[email protected]
3.	Jennifer McQuillan	Preschools 4 Africa	[email protected]
4.	Jeffrey Wienand	Preschools 4 Africa	[email protected]
5.	Lisa Voortman	GROW	[email protected]
6.	Lizette Berry	Children’s Institute (UCT)	[email protected]
7.	Mpho Papale	NDSD	[email protected]
8.	Ghalieb Dawood	NT	[email protected]
9.	Yusuf Mayet	NT	[email protected]
10	Thando Ngqase	NDA	[email protected]

04 January 2021 - NW2179

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development

Reply:

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