Question NW2665 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Reply:

a) In the case of university campuses, each university is responsible for ensuring that the quality of infrastructure built, using Departmental funding, is according to legislated and regulated standards. Universities are responsible for the procurement of infrastructure, including the appointment of professionals in the built environment, and a project management team to oversee the construction process. Universities must ensure that all legislated and regulated standards applicable to the construction environment are adhered to on a national, provincial or local level. This includes the Policy on Norms and Standards for Student Housing published by the Department in September 2015.

The Department monitors the use of the funds allocated to ensure that they have been used for the purpose for which they were allocated. This is done through a two-pronged process. Firstly, through the assessment of annual progress and audited reports submitted by the universities. One of the conditions for the use of the funds allocated for infrastructure is that universities submit an audit certificate verifying that the expenditure has been incurred in respect of the projects for which the funds have been allocated; and that the sign-offs from architects and quantity surveyors and project managers have, as may be applicable, been received. Secondly, the Department conducts on an annual basis, site visits to universities monitoring funds spent on different projects, understanding some of the challenges and observing the actual building completed or construction in progress.

The Department is in the process of appointing an Infrastructure Development Support Unit that will procure professionals in the built environment to assist the Department with monitoring the quality of infrastructure built.

(b) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have not been allocated Departmental funding since its establishment in 2009. As part of supporting colleges to build and maintain infrastructure that is funded from their own sources, as well as for the Department to bid for infrastructure funds, a special Infrastructure Project Office has been established. The Office provides advice and training to colleges with regards to infrastructure build and regulatory compliance. The Office has commenced with an infrastructure asset management programme, which will be used to develop minimum norms and compliance standards for physical facilities, and for monitoring and evaluation of effective infrastructure management.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

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DIRECTOR – GENERAL

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QUESTION 2665 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

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