Question to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology - NW1385

06 June 2017 - NW1385

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

What is the detailed breakdown of expenditure incurred by the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education Authority, grouped under the heading consultancy fees, in the audited financial statements in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15, (c) 2015-16 and (d) 2016-17 financial years?

Source
Link

Reply:

The details for questions (a) to (d) are attached in Annexure A.

The reasons for the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education Authority (ETDP SETA) utilisation of consultants are as follows:

Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA)

In terms of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) delegations, the ETDP SETA is required to use the services of verifiers with specific subject knowledge. The volume of verifications that need to be conducted far exceeds the internal ETDP SETA’s capacity.

Research Chairs

ETDP SETA utilises the services of universities and research specialists, as it is not a specialised research institution. The establishment of research chairs assists ETDP SETA to increase its research capacity and transfer research skills to its staff.

Accounting Secondment

Difficulties were experienced to recruit permanent skills, as its lifespan was unknown due to the uncertainty of its extension. The cost of the secondments were more cost effective than employing the same number of staff.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1385 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING