Question NW2808 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

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04 October 2017 - NW2808

Profile picture: Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP

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

Has any progress been achieved with the establishment of the South African Institute for Vocational and Continuing Education and Training; if not, why not; if so, (a) what progress has been made, (b) how many full-time staff members are currently employed to support the work of the institute, (c) what was the total cost of the institute in the 2016-17 financial year, (d) what amount was budgeted in the 2017-18 financial year for the expenses related to the work of the institute and (e) what is the extent of the support rendered by the institute to the (i) Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges and/or (ii) community education colleges to date?

Reply:

(a) Progress has been made in the establishment of the South African Institute for Vocational and Continuing Education and Training (SAIVCET).

The Department has developed a business case with the following noted progress:

  • A concept document on the role and functions of the entity has been completed.
  • Reprioritising the current Departmental budget or sourcing funds other than from voted funds for the development of the business case as well as to begin initial work of SAIVCET. The latter is important for demonstrating the proposed business case. A request for funding was made to the National Skills Funds and it has been approved.
  • An organogram was developed and concurrence with the Minister of Public Service and Administration is now being sought.
  • Three senior staff members have been appointed on contract.
  • The advertisement for key positions have been drafted and will be advertised soon.
  • A draft policy has been developed and is undergoing consultation. The policy will lead to the promulgation of regulations to formally establish the entity.

(b) No full time staff has yet been appointed, as SAIVCET still needs to be established. The National Skills Fund has made project funding available and three individuals have been appointed on a contract basis.

(c) The total expenditure for the 2016/17 financial year was R 216 758. This was primarily for information technology services, which included the hosting of the lecturer support platform.

(d) The project budget for SAIVCET in the 2017/18 financial year is R 36 million.

(e) In the absence of substantive appointment of staff, some significant steps have been taken to support Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, namely:

  • A curriculum review plan has been developed.
  • Work on the Dual System and Centres of Specialisation project aims to inform models for the implementation of occupational programmes at TVET colleges.
  • Consultation has happened with colleges on a lecturer development plan for this year.
  • A draft lecture development plan is being set up, in addition a long-term lecturer development strategy is being developed.
  • Work on funding norms and performance management mechanisms are being developed with the Human Resource unit of the Department.
  • Lecturer support packages have been developed and are being accessed by lecturers who have registered on the online lecturer support system.
  • Investigations into a continuous professional development lecturer system are being undertaken.
  • Preparation for a lecturer development conference in February 2018 is currently underway.
  • Processes to establish regional support teams for lecturer development are underway. All teams will have been established and operational by 20 October 2017.
  • Monitoring of the implementation of lecturer training or development plans, where the skills levy funds are utilised by TVET colleges, are underway.
  • The evaluation of professional qualifications developed by universities are underway.
  • The University of the Western Cape is already offering a new qualification in terms of the Policy for Professional Qualifications for TVET Lecturers (2013).
  • Investigations to develop and implement a short-term qualification for in-service under-qualified or unqualified lecturers is underway.
  • Work is underway on the post provisioning norms for both TVET and Community Education and Training lecturers.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 2808 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

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