Question NW3419 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
13 December 2022 - NW3419
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What methods of intervention have been taken in ensuring that provincial departments of education co-operate with the national office on issues of accountability?
Reply:
Financial Performance - The Department of Basic Education (DBE) conducts meetings with all nine (9) Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) in January/ February to assess the credibility of the PEDs’ budget allocations for the following financial year. The Annual Performance Plans (APPs), Estimated Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) documents, In-Year Monitoring (IYM) and Annual Reports received from PEDs are key documents guiding the discussions.
During the financial year, the PEDs submit the monthly reports (Financial Reports) within 15 days after the end of the month. These reports are analysed to check the utilisation of funds against the available budget. The DBE conducts bilateral meetings with all PEDs in July/August to discuss the financial performance and the impact on the service delivery. The PEDs account on how the allocated funds were utilised in that specific financial year.
Compliance with National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NSSF) - The DBE conducts HEDCOM Sub-Committee on Finance Meetings on quarterly basis, where the PEDs are expected to provide information with regard to the compliance with NSSF. The DBE also engages in telephonic survey with samples of schools in each Province to verify the information provided by the PED, and check the implementation of the policy at school level. If the gaps are identified in the implementation, the relevant PED will be approached to discuss and to resolve those matters.