Question to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology - NW968

17 May 2017 - NW968

Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

(1)Does his department intend to transfer the former (a) Mokopane and (b) Abel Teacher Colleges to the Waterberg and Sekhukhune Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges respectively; if so, (a) what is required to effect the transfer of these properties, (b) have any delays been experienced in the transfer of these properties to his department and (c) which departmental official(s) will be taking the lead in the negotiations to effect the transfer; (2) have formal memoranda of understanding been signed between his department and the Department of Education in Limpopo while such transfers are pending; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the terms under which the TVET colleges are entitled to utilise the facilities and (b) since what date has the (i) Waterberg and (ii) Sekhukhune TVET colleges been (aa) sharing or (bb) utilising these properties with other government departments?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Department of Higher Education and Training is supporting the transfer of the two properties, i.e. the Mokopane and Abel Teacher Training Colleges to the respective colleges.

(a) The process to effect the transfer is underway. The first step of discussions with the Limpopo Department of Education have commenced. In addition, the Limpopo Provincial Department of Public Works has conducted an assessment of utilisation and ownership which has concluded with the following recommendations:

In the short-term, a Task Team should be established made up of officials from the Department of Basic Education, Department of Higher Education and Training, National Department of Public Works, Limpopo Department of Public Works and Roads and Infrastructure to facilitate the process of sharing of facilities given the needs of both the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training.
In the medium to long-term, measures should be put into place for the Limpopo Provincial Government to formally transfer all former colleges of education facilities throughout the Province to National Government for use by the Department of Higher Education and Training, provided that there are plans to that effect.
The next step of the process will be to action the short-term recommendations with the signing of a Joint Memoranda of Agreement on sharing the facilities.

(b) The process has taken a while but increased impetus is required from all parties to avoid undue delays.

(c) The Director responsible for College Infrastructure Projects will lead from the side of the Department of Higher Education and Training.

2. There has been no signing of a formal Memorandum of Agreement to date. A generic draft has been prepared and is being consulted with the respective authority.

(a) At present, the colleges are utilising the sites based on a mutual agreement with the Limpopo Department of Education. In effect, the colleges have control over certain parts of the site and requests access to other parts on a needs basis.

(b) (i) For the Waterberg TVET College, the Mokopane site has been shared with the Limpopo Provincial Department of Education since January 2008 and the site is also utilised by the Limpopo Provincial Department of Economic Development.

(ii) For the Sekhukhune TVET College, the Abel site has been shared with the Limpopo Provincial Department Education since February 2016 when the college took occupation and the site is also utilised by the Sekhukhune District Municipal Water Affairs Division.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS: Mr S Mommen

EXT: 5311

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 968 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING