Question NW2951 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
26 August 2015 - NW2951
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
What maintenance has his department conducted at each agricultural college(a) in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012, (v) 2013 and (vi) 2014 and (b) since 1 January 2015?
Reply:
In 2009, my Department conducted a study to assess the level of compliance of the twelve Colleges against the approved Norms and Standards the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs. The assessment study report revealed that no single College complied fully with the established Norms and Standards albeit in differing degrees. Flowing from the approved Norms and Standards and the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs including the findings of the compliance study, a Revitalisation Plan for the Colleges of Agriculture was developed.
The Colleges Revitalization Plan (CRP) is guided by the following critical pillars:
- Pillar 1: Improvement of Infrastructure and equipment
- Pillar 2: Curriculum review with emphasis on value addition
- Pillar 3: Accreditation and registration of Colleges
- Pillar 4: Leadership development and change management
- Pillar 5: Strengthening of Information and Communication Technology including Colleges Governance
In support of the process of revitalizing the Colleges of Agriculture, my Department approached the National Treasury in 2009/10 to present the case of the twelve Colleges and to solicit funding for their improvement. My Department commenced with its National Treasury approved and funded Colleges Revitalization Plan in 2011/12 financial year. Since then, my Department has been allocating a substantial amount of money to Colleges to augment their equitable budget.
A total amount of R2 236 705 009.00 (two billion two hundred and thirty six million seven hundred and five thousand and nine rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture between 2009 and January 2015.
A total amount of R1 907 356 342.00 (one billion nine hundred and seven million three hundred and fifty six thousand and three hundred and forty two rand only) has been spent on Goods and Services and Compensation of Employees (Annexure A).
A total amount of R329 348 667.00 (three hundred and twenty nine million three hundred and forty eight thousand and six hundred and sixty seven rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture since 2011/12 through Colleges Revitalization Plan (Annexure B).
Annexure C presents a list of major infrastructure support provided to Colleges by my Department through the Colleges Revitalization Plan since 2011/12.