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ATC200904: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the Fourth Quarterly Report on the Performance of the Department of Basic Education in Meeting its Pre-Determined Objectives for 2019/20, dated 1 September 2020

Basic Education

 

 

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the Fourth Quarterly Report on the Performance of the Department of Basic Education in Meeting its Pre-Determined Objectives for 2019/20, dated 1 September 2020

 

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, having considered the Fourth Quarterly Report on the performance of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in meeting its pre-determined objectives for 2019/20 reports as follows:

 

  1. Introduction

 

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education considered the Fourth Quarterly Report on the performance of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in meeting its pre-determined objectives for 2019/20 on 18 August 2020. Consideration of quarterly reports by committees is one of the established tools to fulfill Parliament’s oversight and accountability mandates in terms of the Constitution and under rules established by the two Houses. Quarterly reports are critical for in-year monitoring since they provide information on the performance of the executive against pre-determined objectives set in the Annual Performance Plans (APP).

 

This report gives an overview of the presentations made by the Department, focusing mainly on its achievements, output in respect of the performance indicators, set targets for 2019/20 and its financial performance. The report also provides the Committee’s key deliberations and recommendations relating to the Department’s performance.

 

  1. Performance Indicators and Targets

The priorities of the Department in the 2019/20 financial year were anchored in the Delivery Agreement of Outcome 1: Improving the quality of Basic Education and the Action Plan to 2019: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030. The activities of the Department remained structured into five programmes namely:

 

  • Programme 1: Administration;
  • Programme 2: Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring;
  • Programme 3: Teachers, Education Human Resources and Institutional Development;
  • Programme 4: Planning, Information and Assessment; and
  • Programme 5: Educational Enrichment Services.

 

  1. Achievements for the Fourth Quarter

 

For the 2019/20 financial year, the validated Quarter Four status for indicators showed that the Department had a total of 43 indicators for all five programmes combined. Of the 2019/20 Fourth Quarter indicators, 24 were annual targets whilst 17 were quarterly targets and two being bi-annual targets. As at the end of the Fourth Quarter of the 2019/20 financial year, the Department had fully achieved 11 out of 18 targets (61 percent), partially achieved two out of 18 (11 percent) and did not achieve five out of 18 (28 percent).
 

  1. Performance per Programme against Performance Indicators and Targets set for 2018/19

                                                                                                                                              

4.1        Programme 1: Administration - The purpose of the programme is to manage the Department and provide strategic administrative support services. Within this programme, the Department had one annual targets and one quarterly target.

 

4.1.1     Quarterly Target

  • Percentage of valid invoices paid within 30 days upon receipt by the Department - The Department’s target for the period was 100 percent and was able to achieve 99.73 percent (9 696 out of 9 722). This was a negative deviation of 0.27 percent. Reasons for the negative deviation was due to Project Managers not signing off invoice on time due to late submission of banking details by TRC victims. To mitigate this challenge, the Department was looking to conduct road shows to educate TRC victims on supplying correct banking details to avoid late payment.

 

4.1.2     Annual Targets

  • Number of reports on misconduct cases resolved within 90 days – The Annual Output was set at four reports and one report was submitted during June for the Fourth Quarter.

 

The Department reported on further progress made in the key focus areas in Programme One for the Fourth Quarter of 2019/20, which included the following, amongst others:          

  • Human Resource Management and Development, Labour Relations and IT

Services;

  • Training and Social Responsibility;
  • Labour Relations;
  • Governance of Information and Communication Technology;
  • Corporate Services;
  • Financial Services, Security and Asset Management;
  • Office Accommodation and Logistical Services;
  • Legal and Legislative Services;
  • Research Co-ordination, Monitoring and Evaluation;
  • Strategic Planning and Reporting;
  • Media Liaison and National and Provincial Communication; and
  • Internal Audit and Secretariat.

 

 

  1.             Programme 2: Administration - The purpose of the programme is to develop Curriculum and assessment policies and monitor and support their implementation. Within this programme, there were 14 performance indicators with nine annual, four quarterly and one bi-annual target. The details of the Department ‘s performance are as follows:

 

  1. Quarterly Targets:
  • Number of training sessions of Curriculum  and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Technical subjects monitored: The Fourth Quarter target was set at one training session. This target was not achieved and had a negative deviation. The Limpopo and North-West Province cancelled the training sessions due to Service Level Agreements (SLA) not signed with the service providers, hence the planned monitoring could not take place. Letters from the Office of the Director-General will be sent to provinces requesting HODs to sign SLA with service providers to ensure that monitoring will take place in the current financial year.

 

 

 

  • Number of advocacy campaigns conducted on the Rural
    Education Framework in the provinces:     The Fourth Quarter target was set at three campaigns and the Department only conducted one campaign. Visits to the Eastern Cape and Western Cape were scheduled for the Fourth Quarter but due to continued postponement on request of the provinces, they could not happen and were eventually cancelled due to Lockdown. Noting that this is an annual target, in future, all advocacy campaigns will be carried out in the First, Second and Third Quarter and none in the Fourth Quarter – to ensure that the Fourth Quarter is left for mopping up should a need arise.

 

  1. Bi-Annual Targets:

 

 

  1. Annual Targets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Department reported on further progress made in the key focus areas in Programme 2 for the Fourth Quarter of 2019/20, which included the following, amongst others:          

  • Curriculum and quality enhancement programmes:
    • Learning and Teaching Support Material;
    • Mathematics, Science and Technology;
    • Coding and Robotics Curriculum;
    • Curriculum Innovation and eLearning; 
  • Curriculum implementation and monitoring:
    • Further Education and Training;
    • General Education and Training;
    • Second Chance Matric Programme;
  • Rural Education;
  • Early Childhood Development; and
  • Inclusive Education.

 

 

  1. Programme 3: Teachers, Education Human Resources and Institutional Development - The purpose of the programme is to promote quality teaching and institutional performance through the effective supply, development and utilisation of human resources. Within this programme, there was a total of ten performance indicators of which four were annual targets and six were quarterly targets. The details of the Department’s performance are as follows:

`

  1. Annual Targets:

The Department reported the following progress in relation to its eight annual targets:

  • Percentage of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) that meet minimum criteria in terms of effectiveness: The Annual target was set at 80 percent of 2 000 sampled SGBs. The Quarter Four reported output was 97.05 percent (1 941 of 2 000). No deviations applicable.

 

  • Percentage of schools producing the minimum set of management documents at a required standard: The Annual target was set at 90 percent of 2 000 sampled schools. The Quarter Four reported output was 98.3 percent (1 966 of 2 000). No deviations applicable.

 

  • Number of Funza Lushaka bursaries awarded to students enrolled for initial teacher education: The Annual target was set at 13 000 bursaries awarded. The Annual Output stood at 12 954 bursaries awarded by 31 December 2019 - leading to a negative deviation of 46 bursaries. The deviation can be attributed to bursary holders that have either failed to register, cancelled the bursary, declined the bursary or became deceased during the reporting period. The Department is working with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to minimise the number of students who will opt out of Funza Lushaka for the NSFAS Free Fee bursary.

 

 

  1. Quarterly Targets:

The Department reported the following progress in relation to its two quarterly targets:

  • Number of English First Additional Language (EFAL) diagnostic analysis reports produced: The Annual target was set at one report per Quarter and the Department achieved with no deviation.

 

  • Number of Physical Science diagnostic analysis reports produced: The Annual target was set at one report per Quarter and the Department achieved with no deviation.
  • Number of Accounting diagnostic analysis reports produced: The Annual target was set at one report per Quarter and the Department achieved with no deviation.

 

 

  • Number of PEDs monitored on the implementation of Integrated Quality Management Systems (IQMS): The target for the Quarter under review was one PED - and the Department achieved this with no deviation.

 

  • Number of PEDs monitored on the implementation of Education Management Service (EMS): Performance Management Development System (PMDS): The target for the Quarter under review was one PED - and the Department was able to monitor two PEDs – a positive deviation of 1. achieved this with no deviation. Monitoring was undertaken in Limpopo to strengthen implementation gaps.

 

The Department reported on further progress made in the key focus areas in Programme 3 for the Fourth Quarter of 2019/20, which included the following, amongst others:

  • Education Human Resource Management;
  • Education Labour Relations and Conditions of Service;
  • Education Human Resource Development;
  • Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD); and
  • National Institute for Curriculum and Professional Development.

 

  1. Programme 4: Planning, Information and Assessment - This programme is responsible for promoting quality and effective service delivery in the basic education system through planning, implementation and assessment. The programme had a total of 12 performance indicators with eight annual, three quarterly and 1 bi-annual target. The details of the Department’s performance are as follows:

 

  1. Annual Targets:

 

  • Number of General Education and Training (GET) Test items in Language and Mathematics for Grade 3,6 & 9 developed: The Annual target was set at 250. The Department recorded a total of 1 007 test items finalised and correlated in all languages applicable for each of the Grades. This was a positive deviation of 757 test items. The additional items were developed as a result of an increased demand and use of diagnostic test items that can be used by schools for all 4 terms. The diagnostic test items were versioned in all 11 languages applicable to a grade and phase leading to an increase in the number of items developed. The number of the items has been adjusted upward for the 2020/2021 target.

 

  •  Number of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) reports produced: The Annual target was set at four reports. The Department achieved this target with no deviations.

 

  • Number of question papers set annually for NSC and SC: The Annual target was set at 290 question papers. The Department achieved a total of 292 question papers with no deviation applicable.

 

 

  • Number of provinces monitored by DBE officials for implementation of Learner Unit Record Information and Tracking System (LURITS) annually: The Annual target was set at nine provinces monitored. The LURITS/EMIS Readiness Report was finalised and approved by the Director-General. There was no deviation applicable.

 

  • Number of officials from districts that achieved below the national benchmark in the NSC participating in a mentoring programme: The Annual target was set at 30 officials. A total of 9 District Directors and 68 district officials were mentored during the 2019/20 financial year. There were no deviations applicable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Quarterly Targets:

 

 

  • Number of schools provided with sanitation facilities through ASIDI: The Annual target was set at 240 school but the Department was only able to reach a total of 10 schools – a negative deviation of 230 schools. This was due to delays in obtaining approval for use of National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and Department of Environmental Affairs as implementing agents on SAFE projects and high construction costs which led to lengthy negotiations process. The DBSA and The Mvula Trust has completed the procurement processes and contractors have already been appointed. Procurement challenges or bottlenecks experienced in the SAFE programme have been resolved and contractors have been appointed. Due to delay in procurement processes these projects will form part of 2020/2021 financial year targets. A roll over of R474 m has been requested and approval has been received for use of Programme Support Unit to manage the SAFE programme.

 

  • Number of schools provided with water through ASIDI: The Annual target was set at 18 school but the Department was only able to reach a total of five schools – a negative deviation of 13 schools. The contractors appointed for the construction of the water projects are seriously under-performing as a result of overcommitment to an extent that they cannot meet PC targets. A further factor was the contractual disputes and the country going into lockdown. The Department corrective action calls for suitable subcontractor to support the main contractor appointed, and instructed that a cession agreement be arranged. The process to replace contractors was at an advanced stage. Request for extension of time are being considered and a letter of noncompliance has been   written to The Mvula Trust, as the implementing agent to account for poor performance of their appointed contractors.

 

  1. Bi-Annual Targets:

 

  • Percentage of school principals rating the support services of districts as being satisfactory: Nil report. A draft survey google form has been developed in preparation for the 2020/21 cycle.

 

The Department reported on further progress made in the key focus areas in Programme 4 for the Fourth Quarter of 2019/20, which included the following, amongst others:

  • National Assessment and Public Examinations;
  • Examinations and Assessments in School;
  • Education Management Information System (EMIS);
  • Financial Planning and Provincial Budget Monitoring;
  • International Relations and Multilateral Affairs;
  • Planning and Delivery Oversight;
  • School Level Planning and Implementation Support;
  • Provincial Monitoring;
  • Publication of School Calendars;
  • National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU);
  • Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI); and
  • Partnerships;

 

  1. Programme 5: Educational Enrichment Services - The purpose of the programme is to develop policies and programmes to improve the quality of learning in schools. Within this programme, there was a total of five performance indicators with three (3) quarterly and two annual target. The details of the Department’s performance in this programme are as follows:

 

  1. Quarterly Targets:
  • Number of schools monitored for the provision of nutritious meals: The Quarter 4 target as per the APP was set at 20 schools. The Quarter Four reported output stood at 35 schools – a positive deviation of 15 schools. This was due to increased monitoring on the schools re-opening.

 

  • Number of learners, teachers, officials, SGBs and community organisation members participating in social cohesion and gender equity programmes: The annual target was set at 2 500 and the Department was only able to achieve a total of 1 247 -  a negative deviation of 1 253. Due to the difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce public expenditure, the Directorate had to drastically scale down on expenditure. Thus, other programmes were not implemented during the quarter under review. There is still assurance that the annual target will not be compromised by the scaling down exercise.

 

  • Number of hot-spot schools monitored towards implementation of the National School Safety framework (NSSF): The annual target was set at 12 hot-spot schools and the Department was able to reach 17 hot-spot schools. A positive deviation of five hot-spot schools. The plan was to monitor 12 Districts, there was a need to monitor five additional schools from the 17 Districts.

 

  1. Annual Target:
  • Number of professionals trained in South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) programmes: The annual target was set at 900 professionals and the Department was only able to reach a total of 813 professionals. A negative deviation of 87 professionals. This was due to Limpopo not hosting the capacity building workshops.

 

  • Number of PED’s with approved annual business plans for the HIV/AIDS Life Skills Education Programme: Nil report. A draft Business plans has been submitted to the DG for approval.

 

The Department reported on further progress made in the key focus areas in Programme 5 for the Fourth Quarter of 2019/20, which included the following, amongst others:

  • Care and Support in Schools;
  • School Nutrition;
  • Psychosocial Support;
  • Health Promotion;
  • Partnerships in Education
  • School Safety;
  • Social Cohesion and Gender Equity; and
  • Sport and Enrichment.

 

  1. Fourth Quarterly Financial Expenditure Report

 

  1.         The total Appropriation budget of the Department for the 2019/20 financial year amounted to R24.465 billion. A total of R20.122 billion (82 percent) was allocated to transfer payments as follows:
  • Conditional Grants: R18.569 billion;
  • Transfers to Public Entities: R155.1 million; and
  • Other Transfers: R1.398 billion.

 

The ) was allocated to the following:

  • Compensation of Employees: R479.1 million;
  • Examiners and Moderators: R21.5 million;
  • Earmarked Funds: R1.185 billion;
  • Office Accommodation: R206.5 million;
  • Specifically, and Exclusively Appropriated: R1.986 billion;
  • Departmental Operations: R224.0 million; and
  • Departmental Projects: R241.0 million.

 

  1. The total actual expenditure of the Department for the 2019/20 financial year Fourth Quarter amounted to R23.852 billion. Expenditure amounting to R20.111 billion was made up of transfer payments as follows:
  • Conditional Grants: R18.561 billion;
  • Transfers to Public Entities: R155.1 million; and
  • Other Transfers: R1.395 billion.

 

The remainder of the expenditure (R3.741 billion) was made up as follows:

  • Compensation of Employees: R464.5 million;
  • Examiners and Moderators: R21.5 million;
  • Earmarked Funds: R1.164 billion;
  • Office Accommodation: R203.7 million;
  • Specifically, and Exclusively Appropriated: R1.474 billion;
  • Departmental Operations: R223.2 million; and
  • Departmental Projects: R190.1 million.

 

  1.  
  •  
  1.  

Expenditure as % of Appropriation
  1.  

ACTUAL EXPENDITURE
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  
  •  

518 342

509 389

8 953

98.27%

Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring

1 944 506

1 880 933

63 573

96.73%

Teachers, Education Human Resources Development and Institutional Development

1 383 888

1 367 945

15 943

98.85%

Planning, Information and Assessment

13 106 706

12 586 411

520 295

98.09%

Educational Enrichment Services

7 511 089

7 506 938

4 151

99.95%
  •  

24 464 531

23 851 616

612 915

97.50%
  1. Deviations per Programme

 

  1. Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring: The remaining allocation on this programme is due to funds withheld for Learners with Profound Intellectual Disability conditional grant and other projects reprioritised after workbook saving was identified. Funds were withheld to Free State province due to underspending on Learners with Profound Intellectual Disability Conditional grant. The underspending on this item was due to delay in delivery of the IT equipment including tablets for schools as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak as well as delay in invoices for travelling and subsistence.

 

  1. The bulk of the remaining budget is due to School Infrastructure Backlog Indirect Grant and National Assessment.

 

School Infrastructure - The underspending on this programme was due to high construction costs that the contactors where charging the Department on water and sanitation projects which resulted in delays of the project. Furthermore, there were disruptions by business forums.

 

National Assessment - The tender for the procurement of the service provider to conduct the National Assessment was cancelled due to the Department not getting a suitable service provider on the bidders that submitted the bids.

 

 

  1.  

ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION

2019/20

Expenditure as % of Appropriation

APPROPRIATION

ACTUAL EXPENDITURE

VARIANCE

R’000

R’000

R’000

Compensation of Employees

546 751

521 576

25 175

95.40%

Goods and Services

1 996 191

1 956 047

40 144

97.99%

Interest and rent on land

50 628

50 627

1

100.00%

Transfers and Subsidies

20 122 337

20 110 535

11 802

99.94%

Payment for Capital Assets

1 748 386

1 212 591

535 795

69.36%

Payment for Financial Assets

238

240

2

100.84%

 

 

 

 

 

Total

24  464 531

23 851 616

612 915

97.50%

       

  1. Deviations per Economic Classification

 

  1. Savings were realised due to non-filling of vacant positions due to the restructuring of the Department.

 

  1. The underspending on this item was due to delay in delivery of the IT equipment including tablets for schools as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak as well as delay in invoices for travelling and subsistence. The Department has requested roll over from National Treasury amounting to R20 million for orders/commitments on this item.

 

  1. The overspending is due to interest that was paid to contractors due to late payments of invoices on construction projects. The interest charged has been disclosed as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

 

  1. The underspending on this item is in respect of the ASIDI (SAFE project). The underspending on this programme was due to high construction costs that the contactors where charging the Department on water and sanitation projects which resulted in delays of the project. Furthermore, there were disruptions by business forums.  An amount or R474 million has been requested as roll-over.

 

 

  1.  

ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATIONS
  1.  

Expenditure as % of Appropriation
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  

Compensation of Employees

479 060

464 461

14 599

96.95%

Examiners and Moderators

21 437

21 489

(52)

102.24%

Transfers to Public Entities

155 063

155 063

0

100.00%

Other Transfers

1 398 043

1 394 702

3 341

      99.76%

Conditional Grants

18 569 231

18 560 771

8 460

99.95%

Schools Infrastructure Backlogs Indirect Grant

1 986 048

1 473 708

512 340

74.20%

Earmarked Funds

1 184 770

1 164 390

20 380

98. 28%

Departmental Operations

223 593

223 246

347

99.85%

Office Accommodation

206 451

203 695

2 756

98.67%
  •  

240 835

190 091

50 744

78.93%
  •  

24 464 531

23 851 616

612 915

97.50%

 

 

  1. Deviations per Economic Classification

 

  1. Projects – The allocation of various projects in the Department. The underspending on this item was due to delay in delivery of the IT equipment including tablets for schools as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak as well as delay in invoices for travelling and subsistence.

 

National Assessment - The tender for the procurement of the service provider to conduct the National Assessment was cancelled due non-suitable service providers on the bidders that submitted the bids.

 

 

  1.  
  1.  
  

Expenditure as % of Appropriation
  1.  

ACTUAL EXPENDITURE
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  
  1.  

Earmarked Funds:

1 184 770

1 164 390

20 380

98.28%

Workbooks

1 070 183

1 055 628

14 555

98.64%

Matric Second Chance Programme

85 261

80 781

4 480

94.75%

Maths, Science and Technology Oversight grant

6 197

4 770

1 427

76.97%

National School Nutrition Programme Oversight grant

20 129

19 736

  393

98.04%

Learners with Profound Intellectual Disabilities Oversight grant

                3 000   

   3 475

        (475)

115.83%

Conditional Grants:

18 569 231

18 560 771

8 460

99.95%

Education Infrastructure Grant

10 514 478

10 514 478

0

100.00%

HIV & Aids (Life Skills) conditional grant

256 951

256 951

0

100.00%

Maths, Science and Technology conditional grant

391 302

391 302

0

100.00%

Nat School Nutrition Prog conditional grant

7 185 715

7 185 715

0

100.00%

Learners with Profound Intellectual Disability conditional grant

220 785

212 325

8 460

96.17%

 

  1. Challenges/Deviations and Mitigatory Measures

 

  1. Conditional Grants: Learners with Profound Intellectual Disability Conditional Grant. Funds were withheld to Free State due to underspending.

 

 

  1.  

SERVICE

  

Expenditure as % of Appropriation

APPROPRIATION

ACTUAL EXPENDITURE

VARIANCE

R’000

R’000

R’000

Transfers to Public Entities

155 063

155 063

0

100.00%

UMALUSI

134 634

134 364

0

100.00%

ETDP SETA

429

429

0

100.00%

SACE

20 000

20 000

0

100.00%

Other Transfers

1 398 043

1 394 702

3 341

99.76%

NSFAS: Fundza Lushaka Bursaries

1 224 271

1 224 271

0

100.00%

UNESCO Membership Fees

16 295

13 611

2  684

83.53%

ADEA

150

151

(1)

100.67%

Households

4 997

5 244

(247)

104.94%

Childline South Africa

69

69

0

100.00%

Guidance Counseling & Youth Development Centre: Malawi

186

174

12

93.55%

 SACMEQ

3 480

2 587

893

74.34%

NECT

148 595

148 595

0

100.00%

 

 

  1. Portfolio Committee Observations

 

The Portfolio Committee raised the following with the Department of Basic Education in respect of the Fourth Quarterly Report for 2019/20:

  • Members raised concern over the discontinuing of the face-to-face sessions for the Second Chance Matric Programme learners and queried how learners would be assisted and supported in the absence of these sessions. Members queried whether the necessary Structured Plan for Support had been published and made available to provincial education departments (PEDs). The Department was also requested to detail how these learners were being tracked to ensure they were not lost to the system.
  • Members queried how any savings from the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) as well as Scholar Transport was being utilised by the Department.
  • In respect of the ASIDI programme, Members generally raised some of the following:
    • Whether the Department was set to achieve its targets as this programme negatively affected the Department’s audit outcomes;
    • Plans in place to complete all schools in the programme before the programme came to an end;
    • Concerns over school with no water and sanitation, specifically in the rural areas;
    • Contractor/Service Providers/Implementing Agents not performing as they should in respect of infrastructure, water and sanitation projects;
    • Who was responsible for provisioning of water to schools;
    • How municipalities were performing in respect of provision of water and water-tanks.
    • The Department did its own feasibility study on the provision of water and water-tanks – and not rely solely on reports from PEDs.
  • Members queried the status of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill and the Departments consultation with relevant stakeholders. Members further queried whether there would be any further round of public consultation on the Bill.
  • In respect of    Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) schools, Members queried whether the Department was experiencing any backlogs in respect of school construction. Members were of the view that the Department was cautious with awarding projects to contractors who had a bad record – and gain the services of contractors and implementing agents with proven track records.
  • Members also raised issues in respect of the extended school calendar and how the Curriculum would be managed.
  • On legal services, Members queried how much the Department had spent on legal fees in the Quarter under review.
  • Members generally raised concerns with under-expenditure on certain line-items – and how this would be dealt with to ensure that it did not recur. It was felt that wasteful expenditure in respect of late payments was deliberate, careless and negligent – and there was a need for consequence management.
  • Members raised the matter of the slow pace of pension pay-outs to those who retired from the system.
  • The Department was also alerted to issues of procurement irregularities in certain provinces as well as school unrests and supply of ablution facilities at certain schools.
  • Members also raised concern with PEDs who insisted that educators returned to work even though they had comorbidities which prevented them from returning.
  • Members were of the view that there be strengthening of oversight and monitoring of PEDs in respect of accountability on the utilisation of finances. There was a view that MEC’s be called to address the Portfolio Committee on issues of accountability of finances.
  • Members noted the corrective actions taken by the Department to mitigate certain challenges but maintained that not enough was being done to hold contractors’/service providers and Implementing Agents accountable. There was an urgent need for consequence management.
  • Members sought a detailed report on some of the following:
    • The exact amount of vandalised schools in the country;
    • The number of completed projects per province;
    • The number of projects per province still under construction;
    • Special Care Centres registered with the Department – and decisions on the re-opening of these centres to accelerate support for special learners.

 

 

  1. Responses from the Department of Basic Education
    1. Minister – Minister Motshekga responded to queries in relation to the Second Chance Matric Programme learners and indicated that these learners, having been in their last Quarter, had received much support from the Department in preparation for the June 2020 examinations – however, this examination has now been moved to December 2020. There was concern with the low number of learners who have registered for the examination. The Minister further gave a detailed overview of the type of support to learners and educators during the lockdown period and the re-opening of schools in phases. With ICT, the Department had developed various alternate programmes for learners without the necessary ICT access. In respect of water and sanitation, the Minister indicated that Rand Water did not work alone but was part of a collective of municipalities and other water agents to supply water to schools. The Minister also alluded to issues of monitoring and oversight and mentioned that the Department collaborated with a consortium which assisted with the validation of data/information received from PEDs – this also included inputs from teacher unions, SGBs and civil society. Mrs Motshekga mentioned that the Department accounted to the Portfolio Committee while PEDs accounted to their relevant Provincial Legislatures with clear lines of authority. It remained the prerogative of the Portfolio Committee to invite PEDs to its meetings – or engage the legislature committee if needs be.
    2. Deputy Minister – The Deputy Minister, Dr Mhaule, also emphasized that Members of the Portfolio Committee made them aware of issues pertaining to challenges they encounter by way of communication with the Department. This included specific statistics and questions that needed responses. Dr Mhaule also alluded to issues pertaining to the awarding of contracts and projects when the relevant criteria had been met.
    3. Director-General – Mr Mweli indicated that many of the issues raised by Members would be dealt with in detail at the next meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Tuesday, 25 August 2020 – specifically issues pertaining to learner support. Regarding the utilisation of any savings emanating from the NSNP and scholar transport, Mr Mweli assured Members that such savings had not materialized as the Department was now obliged, by court order, to feed all learners at schools. This was a response to the structural interdict of the court order. Further to this, scholar transport providers now had to transport less learners but with added trips to accommodate all learners – in essence, a double expense.

Mr Mweli reiterated that the provision of water and sanitation remained the responsibility of municipalities but noted that many municipalities were under strain and not able to provide this service to schools. The Department had ongoing engagements with department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and Municipalities on the matter. The Department was assisting with the distribution of portable chemical ablution facilities to schools where there was a dire need. Further to this, the Department also had the services of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to ensure delivery of water and water-tanks to schools.

The Department has the assurance that the 612 schools in the ASIDI programme would reach practical completion by the end of this Financial Year.

Regarding the BELA Bill, Mr Mweli mentioned that the Department had completed the process of consultation with all relevant stakeholders, further to  public comments were  received. The Department would take directives from the Minister for any further consultation processes to be followed.

The Department had spent around R12.9 million on legal fees during the quarter.

The Department also mentioned that they had been cautious in awarding contracts and projects to service providers and implementing agents – specifically to those contractors with poor track-records. The Department was being cautious with contractors and learned from past mistakes. Mr Mweli agreed that more could be done in respect of corrective action against contractors who underperformed with ASIDI. Mr Mweli indicated that they remained open and frank in respect of challenges with the ASIDI Programme – and acknowledged when they had underperformed. The Department was continuing with its drive to recover monies. Mr Mweli also gave detailed explanations for some of the under-expenditure on certain line items. 

The Director-General agreed that issues of pension payouts needed to be investigated where the turnaround time was too long. Similarly, where there were challenges with educators having to return to work even when they have comorbidities, the Department needs to ensure these are addressed – there were specific processes that educators needed to be aware of in this regard.

 

  1. Portfolio Committee Recommendations

 

8.1  Based on the observations made above, the Portfolio Committee requests that the Minister of Basic Education ensure that the Department of Basic Education consider these recommendations:

 

  • The Department should conduct its own feasibility study on the provision of water and water-tanks to schools – and not rely solely on reports from PEDs.
  • The Department should properly manage and remain cautious with awarding ASIDI projects to contractors/service providers who have a bad record – and gain the services of contractors and implementing agents with proven track records.
  • The Department should ensure that issues of under-expenditure on certain line-items as well as wasteful expenditure be addressed to ensure this does not recur. Consequence management needs to be implemented by the Department.
  • The Department ensured that there was a strengthening of oversight and monitoring of PEDs in respect of accountability on the utilisation of finances.
  • The Department made the following available to the Portfolio Committee:
    • A report on the exact amount of vandalised schools in the country;
    • A report on the number of completed projects per province;
    • A report on the number of projects per province still under construction; and
    • A report on Special Care Centres registered with the Department – and decisions on the re-opening of these centres to accelerate support for special learners.

 

8.2  The Portfolio Committee consider calling MEC’s for the various Provincial Education Departments to address the Portfolio Committee on issues of accountability of finances. 

 

Report to be considered.

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