Question NW617 to the Minister of Basic Education
05 April 2017 - NW617
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) progress has been made in the investigation into the misappropriation of funds at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology and (b) temporary (i) assistance and/or (ii) funding has her department provided to ensure that the specified school is able to cater to pupils while the investigation is still ongoing?
Reply:
a) An investigation was instituted by the Risk Management Section of the Eastern Cape Department of Education. A report was tabled to both the Senior Management of the Department and the Portfolio Committee. The Labour Relations Section of the Eastern Cape Department of Education appointed an independent tribunal to craft charges and adjudicate on the matter. This process is underway. However, the following interim measures have been put in place to restore normality at the school, while the investigation is underway:
b) (i). An Administrator, Dr Ray Mkhatshwa, has been appointed and has made good progress in restoring normality at the school. An extension to his term of office was approved to June 2017, pending the finalisation of the investigation.
The School Governing Body that was removed by the school principal has been reinstated and trained to work with the Administrator.
(ii). Funds for National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) to the value of R110, 000.00 have already been deposited, in 2017, to the school’s account and feeding is running smoothly.
10% cash allowance is scheduled to be transferred into the school account in May 2017, once the budget for 2017/18 budget becomes accessible.
Other Norms and Standards for Funding allocations will be transferred to the school account once the school has submitted accountability reports.