Questions and Replies

Reply:

The question has been referred to the province and the response will be forwarded as soon as it is received.

Reply:

The Department of Women is still in the process of establishing its own systems and processes that will enable it to gather, capture, store and use such data as one of the tools to curb violence against women in our society.

Approved by the Minister on
Date: 24/02/2015

Reply:

The Department of Women is a new department which has just been established. It is for this reason that the question is not applicable to it.

 

Approved by the Minister on
Date: 26/02/2015.

Reply:

(1) Which schools in Malamulele, Limpopo, were prevented from opening for the 2015 academic year as a result of protests;

Approximately 149 schools were prevented from opening for the 201 5 academic year. A list ofthe affected schools is attached. The impasse at Malamulele has, however, now been resolved. Schools in the area have opened for the first time in 201 5 allowing for learning and teaching to commence in the hundred and forty nine (149) schools that were affected.

(2) In each school, what is the number of affected learners in each grade?

A list of schools and the number of learners that were affected per grade is captured in the table attached. The information on learners is however based on 2014 statistics as the schools have only just reopened and statistics for 2015 are currently being verified.

(3) in each school, what measures will be taken to ensure that all learners who have not attended schools since the beginning of January 2015 will be provided with an opportunity to attend a catch-up programme, and (b) when will she start taking these measures;

The Provincial Department of Education has developed a catch up plan to make up for lost time.

(4) When will the catch-up programmes begin?

The commencement date for the Catch-up Programme is not yet finalised.

(5) What measures will be taken to prevent protestors from closing schools in Malamulele in the future? NW48E

The Department of Basic Education will continue to work with School Governing Bodies and communities to ensure that all schools are protected at all times. The situation in Malamulele is however unique in that the community is at the centre of the activities that pose a threat to schooling and schools.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has entered into a Collaborative Partnership Protocol with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 2011. The Protocol is an acknowledgement that safety is a shared responsibility between both the Departments. Officials from both Departments have committed themselves to promote the safety of everyone at school and to combat school violence as captured in the delivery agreement of both Ministries. Action Plan 2019 (Goal 10) is also enhanced through this partnership as it ensures that children remain effectively in schools until they turn 15 years old. One of the commitments of the Partnership Protocol is to prevent and manage alcohol and drug use amongst learners in schools.

1. According to information received from SAPS two learners were arrested (a) for the possession of illegal drugs (b) and none for dealing in illegal substances (i) during 2012 and (ii) 2013 academic years.

2. The two learners were from Edenglen High School and Don Materra Child and Youth Care Centre.

3. Both learners were arrested for possession of illegal drugs and both cases were withdrawn at Court. The learner from Edenglen High School was suspended and the learner from Don Materra Child and Youth Care Centre was transferred to another institution.

Reply:

(a) Dowerglen High School is a fee-charging school ranked in quintile 5 with an enrolment of 422. The school has been ranked by the Gauteng Department of Education according to the relative poverty of the community surrounding the school. The school received an allocation of R530 per learner for 2014/15. This allocation was above the national 2014 quintile 5 per learner benchmark of R183. The total allocation paid to the school for 2014/15 is R223.660.

The school can apply to the Gauteng Department of Education to be re-ranked, or to be voluntarily declared a no-fee school in order for their allocation to be more than what they are receiving now.

Reply:

(a) The SABC owns the venue that was used for the announcement of the NSC 2014 results. The SABC, as a host organisation, therefore determines who represents the SABC at the event.

(b) The statement, in this particular instance, is taken out of context and therefore the Minister has no position on it.

(2) The National Senior Certificate is the most important qualification in the schooling sector and the Department of Basic Education is the custodian of this qualification and therefore the question posed in this case is irrelevant.

Reply:

In terms of the National School Nutrition Programme Conditional Grant Framework in the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), the Department has a mandate to provide meals to all learners in quintile I to 3 primary and secondary schools, as well as identified special schools in line with the specified budget allocated by National Treasury. Dowerglen High School is a quintile 5 school and currently falls outside the mandate of the NSNP.

Reply:

(1) (a)(b) Yes, the revised disciplinary code and procedure has been tabled for negotiation at the Public Service Bargaining Council during the negotiation, a decision on this matter can be expected when the negotiation is concluded.

(2) Yes, we are confident that the revised code will improve the turnaround time for concluding disciplinary cases in the public service, improvement will be reflected when the revised disciplinary code is fully implemented.

Reply:

The above questions are addressed in the annexure provided as the response is composed of extensive lists of schools as requested by the parliamentary query.

Attached find here: Annexure A

Reply:

To date nothing has been brought the attention of the department about possible industrial action as a result of non-approval of probations and payment of pay progression. However, if there are disputes emanating from the violation of some of the clauses in the conditions of service of employees, there are processes to be followed, which will enable for such issues to be resolved.

Reply:

Sick leave

(a)(i) 2011-12 = 56 165.5 days

(a)(ii) 2012-13 = 49 790 days

(a)(iii) 2013-14 = 71 094 days

Strike action

(b)(i)

(b)(ii)

(b)(iii)

2011-12 = 6 working days

2012-13 = 0 working days

2013-14 = 0 working days

Reply:

(1) Yes. Members of the Executive usually receive invitations from individuals and institutions, invited in their private capacity or official capacity. Weddings are generally private.

(2) No.

(3) Falls away.

Reply:

Yes, all the key recommendations made in the Ministerial Committee on Rural Education Report of 2005 have been implemented through the various programmes that the Department is rolling out in all provinces.

Reply:

(a)(i)(aa) The SIU conducted one investigation into the South African Police Service (SAPS). Although two Proclamations (R42 of 2010 and R73 of 2010) were issued by the President in respect of the SAPS, . Proclamation R73 of 2010 simply extended the period of investigation that had been set out in the initial Proclamation. The matters that the SIU was required to investigate were as follows:

alleged procurement irregularities relating to:
• procurement of a new two-way radio communication network for the Eastern Cape Province (Tetra);

• National Police Day 2009/10 and 2010/11:

• procurement of police uniforms;

• procurement of lntenda Procure Solutions; and
• procurement of solar panels (Boschkop Police Station)

- devolution of functional responsibilities from DPW to SAPS
-building and/or renovations of 33 Police Stations conflicts of interest

Re: (a)(i)(bb) and (a)(ii) The investigation relating to the SAPS has been finalised and the SIU is in the process of compiling the Report to be submitted to the President.

(b) The outcomes are as follows
• criminal referral letters were sent in respect of 16 persons
• disciplinary referral letters were sent in respect of 116 SAPS members
• an acknowledgement of debt to the value of R496 000 was obtained
• In respect of the Eastern Cape Tetra contract, the SIU is considering approaching the High Court for an order cancelling the contract and recommending criminal and disciplinary action against certain SAPS officials.
 

Reply:

I) I support the principle behind the twinning of schools. The rationale behind the twinning is that it is the quickest way of addressing the inequalities that exist in the sector in terms of resources and skills transfer of principals, teachers and school governors.

2) Section 588 (4)and (5) provide the Head of Department (HOD) with wide powers to deal with underperforming schools. Section 58(4) specifically provides that the HOD must take all reasonable steps to assist a school indentified in terms of subsection ( I) in addressing the underperformance. Section 58(5), although indicating which specific steps the Head of Department must consider. does not limit the steps that the HOD can take to remedy the underperfom1ance at a school. Twinning of a school is one of the options that could be considered.

3) The twinning project is at the moment still a Gauteng initiative. The Council of Education Ministers and I have not yet explored its possibilities. It is an initiative that requires research, massive stakeholder consultation and review of legislation before considering it as a possibility.

4) Yes, social cohesion. although not a core function of the department, is part of the department's delivery of Outcome 14 in the MTSF (2014-2019). It is promoted by the department through Curriculum. Teacher Development and Care and Support Branches.

Why? Schools are increasingly being recognized as a key contributor to promoting national unity and solidarity among the different social groups in a country. Given the legacy of apartheid and the high prevalence of social problems challenging our current democratic state, schooling can contribute to achieving cohesive communities that are more effective in supporting education, and achieving social and economic goals. The NDP tasks schools to promote social cohesion, constitutional values, active citizenry and appreciation of diversity.

Reply:

The Department is in the process of putting together a policy framework to enable effective implementation of the Use of Official Language Policy Act within the Department. It is envisaged that the policy will be adopted and implemented at the beginning of 2015

Reply:

(a) The provision of sanitation facilities in the education sector is separated into male and female facilities. furthermore the Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for public School infrastructure provide guidance for the separation of these facilities based on the enrolment range per gender and the number of sanitary fixtures required to respond to the enrolment range, this addresses aspects on the number of boys & girls in a school against the number of toilets. basins. boys urinals. Grade R toilets and Unisex toilets catering for persons with disabilities.

(b) Yes. Not all toilets are clean, hygienic and functional at all times. Some areas use the pit system which is not easy to maintain. Another challenge that renders school toilets not functional at all times is the lack of water supply to schools. In some cases, the toilets are old, unrepaired and sewerage systems not being regularly serviced by local municipalities.

(c) Yes. during monitoring, one of the areas observed is whether learners practice hand washing before meals. Posters on hand washing and general hygiene which were developed and distributed to schools are often observed on display to be integrated in Life Orientation by educators. Nutrition Education is a key pillar of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).

(d) Schools are not obliged to provide sanitary pads for girls. There are programmes with external partners that provide sanitary pads and reproductive health programmes to selected disadvantaged schools.

(e) The Department does not have the details on the provision of bins to dispose of sanitary pads in schools.

Reply:

Attached find here: Response

Reply:

(a)(b) Government is in a process of revising the Public Service Disciplinary Code and Procedure and also Chapter 7 of the SMS Handbook. This Disciplinary Code and Procedure has been tabled for negotiations at the Bargaining Council, (i)(ii) the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) working with the National Treasury will ensure that the PERSAL system respond to this kind of a need to ensure that public servants who commit acts of misconduct are precluded from entering the public service, including state institutions.

Reply:

(I) The Department of Basic Education has developed a comprehensive plan aimed at guiding the Provincial Education Departments on the Upgrading of Grade R practitioners. The plan clearly indicates options available for practitioners in different NQF levels and provides the admission requirement for each option.

PEDs have since identified practitioners and their qualification levels. From a total of 15 000 practitioners that are under-qualified, the DBE has set a target of 5 000 new practitioners per year to be supported to complete a qualification (either a BEd Foundation Phase or Diploma in grade R teaching). Currently. 3 400 (68%) practitioners have been enrolled in institutions to complete either the BEd or Diploma in Grade R teaching.

To increase the capacity of HEIs to offer the Diploma in Grade R teaching. The DBE has approached HE!s in each province the Provincial Teacher Education and Development Committees to offer the diploma. UNlSA, University of Johannesburg and University of Pretoria are in the process of developing this qualification. Currently. only four (4) institutions offer this qualification namely North West University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, SANTS and Lyceum.

(2) The source of funding the expansion of Grade R has historically been the national fiscus and will continue to be so going forward. This funding is included in the equitable share transfers to provinces. Provinces are expected to, amongst others; prioritize the expansion of Grade R \Vi thin their provincial education budgets.

Reply:

(1) No.

(2) No.

(3) (a)- (d) falls away.

Reply:

The Act is not yet implemented

The Department of Arts and Culture has extended the date of implementation to 2 May 2015.

The Act will probably be implemented on the above date.

Reply:

(a) The Department captured (lost) the following number of sick leave days in the years as indicated below:

(i) 15 767 in 2011/2012 financial year.

(ii) 15 646 in 2012/2013 financial year.

(iii) 21 214 in 2013/2014 financial year.

(b) The Department was not affected by any strike action during the periods indicated above.

 

Adv N.A Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:· .. ........ .. .. ./. ................ ./2014

Reply:

As far as we know there are no unnecessary delays in issuing of licenses and certificates. In this instance, clarity is requested as to which specific license is being referred to herein.

Reply:

(a) The Department is represented on the Gauteng Provincial Integrated Transport Planning Steering Committee established by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport as well as the Project Steering Committee dealing with the detailed feasibility studies related to the expansion of the Gauteng rail network.

(b) The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport approved the 25 year Gauteng Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25) which, based on pre-feasibility studies, identified possible rail extension to the Gauteng rail network. The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is undertaking feasibility studies in terms of National Treasury's Public Private Partnership regulations and has appointed Transaction Advisors in October 2014.

(c) The feasibility is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2015.

Reply:

 (1) The department plays an oversight role and does not implement programs. However we will work closely with other government departments, agencies and the private sector to promote women's socio-economic empowerment in the country.

(2) Not applicable.

Reply:

(a) The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) has received a report titled Tunnel Remedial Works (Principles) from the Bombela Concession Company. The report sets out a preliminary proposal that the section of tunnel be lined with waterproof membrane. This concept consists in a double water-barrier system made of a waterproofing membrane over the full periphery of the tunnel liner and a concrete liner, with water-stops at construction joints.

(b) The specific details for the waterproofing is not yet available, however, Bombela has indicated that the operations plan and preliminary designs of the waterproofing will be ready by the end of November 2014. The detailed construction plans are likely to be ready by the end of March 2015.

Reply:

Chapter 4, clause 15.3 of the SMS Handbook guides the awarding of bonuses to SMS members while the DPSA Employee Performance Management and Development System Framework (for levels 12 and below) guides the awarding of bonuses to levels 12 and below. In terms of clause 9.5 of this framework, departments must not spend more than 1.5% of their remuneration budget for bonuses.

The information requested will be available in Annual Reports once these are tabled in Parliament.


Approved be Minister on
Date : 09/12/2014

Reply:

Yes, the Gauteng Education Depa11ment has furnished the Minister's office with the relevant information. (See attached).

Reply:

Adv. NA Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-........./........./2014

Reply:

(a) The Post Provisioning process involves the declaration of a basket of posts by the MEC for the province. The posts are distributed by the Provincial Department of Education using the Post Provisioning model and tool. It must be noted that given the distributive nature of post provisioning the ideal class size cannot ah\a)S be achieved in all schools and classes.

The Learners at Con Amore School were correctly weighted as prescribed in the Norms and Standards for Post provisioning. The allocation for Con Amore School is captured the table below.

This school will be gaining I post in 2015. No further steps need to be taken as the school has been informed as to their new post establishment for 2015. It is now the responsibility of the Principal to utilize allocated personnel effectively.

(b) The new post establishment for 2015 has been issued to the school with the effective date of I January 2015. The responsibility now lies with the Principal of the school to utilize the allocated personnel correctly.

Reply:

The State Security Agency (SSA) did not spend any amount on promotional magazines for the period under review.

Reply:

Attached find here: A detailed response is provided in a table below:

Reply:

(1) The detailed report on legal costs expenditure is attached to this parliamentary question. Legal costs incurred by municipalities per each province for financial years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 is as follows:

Attached find here: Legal costs incurred by municipalities per each province for financial years

Reply:

Not applicable.


 

Approved by the Minister on
Date: 28/10/2014