ATC211119: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology on the Consideration of the 2020/21 Fourth-Quarter and 2021/22 First-Quarter Performance Reports of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dated 19 November 2021
Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology on the Consideration of the 2020/21 Fourth-Quarter and 2021/22 First-Quarter Performance Reports of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dated 19 November 2021
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the Committee), having considered the 2020/21 fourth-quarter and the 2021/22 first-quarter performance reports of the Department of Higher Education and Training (hereinafter referred to as the Department), reports as follows:
- INTRODUCTION
Section 40 (1) (f) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1999 (Act No.1 of 1999) makes provision for the accounting officer of a department to submit all reports, returns, notices and other information to Parliament. The Act also stresses the need for accounting officers to regularly monitor and report on the performance of their Departments against the agreed budget for the year.
Section 5 (1) (c) of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, 2009 (Act No. 9 of 2009) determines that the National Assembly (NA), through its committees, must annually assess the performance of each national department in relation to the expenditure report of the said department published by the National Treasury in terms of section 32 of the PFMA.
The Portfolio Committee conducts an oversight function over the Department and it is responsible for closely monitoring the progress made with regard to the achievement of financial and non-financial performance of the Department against its pre-determined service delivery or performance targets. The quarterly assessments of the Department’s financial and non-financial performance also assist the Committee in its preparation for the annual submission of the budgetary review and recommendation report (BRRR) as determined by section 5 (2) of the Money Bills Amendment Procedures and Related Matters Act, 2009 (Act No. 9 of 2009).
the Committee considered the 2020/21fourth-quarter performance and the 2021/22 first-quarter performance reports of the Department on 25 August 2021.
- OVERVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S QUARTERLY FINANCIAL AND SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE
2.1. 2020/21 FOURTH-QUARTER PERFORMANCE
2.1.1. Overview of the Fourth-Quarter financial performance
Table 1: Budget allocation and expenditure for the Fourth Quarter of the 2020/21 financial year
R million
|
Adjusted budget
|
Available budget
|
Year-End Actual expenditure |
Expenditure as % of available budget |
Underspending |
Percentage underspending |
Administration |
402,2 |
402,2 |
399,4 |
99,3% |
2,8 |
0,7% |
Planning, Policy and Strategy |
189,0
|
189,0
|
191,3
|
101,2% |
-2,3 |
-1,2% |
University Education |
78 321,5 |
78 321,5 |
78 357,3 |
100,0% |
-35,8 |
0,0% |
Technical and Vocational Education and Training |
12 652,2
|
12 652,2
|
12 472,7 |
98,6% |
179,5 |
1,4% |
Skills Development |
282,6 |
282,6 |
273,7 |
96,9% |
8,8 |
3.1% |
Community Education and Training |
2 247,4 |
2 247,4 |
2 003,0 |
89,1% |
244,4 |
10,9% |
Sub-total |
94 094,9 |
94 094,9 |
93 697,5 |
99,6% |
397,5 |
0,4% |
Direct charges |
10 174,6 |
10 174,6 |
12 413,0 |
122,0% |
-2 238,4 |
-22,0% |
SETAs |
8 139,7 |
8 139,7 |
9 940,4 |
122,1% |
-1 800,7 |
-22,1% |
National Skills Fund |
2 034,9 |
2 034,9 |
2 472,6 |
121,5% |
-437,7 |
-21,5% |
Total |
104 269,6 |
104 269,6 |
106 110,5 |
101,8% |
-1 840,9 |
-1,8% |
Source: National Treasury, 2021
The Department’s adjusted budget for the 2020/21 financial year, inclusive of direct charges against the National Revenue Fund amounted to R104,3 billion. Expenditure at the end of the 2020/21 fourth-quarter excluding direct charges amounted to R93,7 billion or 99,6% against the available budget of R94,1 billion; with a lower than projected spending amounting to R397,5 million or 0,4%. The lower than projected spending was under the compensation of employees in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Community Education and Training (CET) programmes.
The Department spent R9,2 billion or 96,2% on compensation of employees against the available budget of R10,1 billion, translating in lower than projected spending of R364,4 million or 3,8%. Expenditure on goods and services amounted to R396,5 million or 80,6% against the available budget of R492,0 million, thus recording lower than projected spending amounting to R95,4 million or 19,4%.
Regarding expenditure on transfers and subsidies at the end of the fourth-quarter, the Department spent R84,1 billion or 100,1% of the available budget, with an overspending amounting to R73,4 million or 0,1%. The overspending was attributed to virements effected under transfers and subsidies.
Payments for capital assets amounted to R6,1 million or 26,4% against the available budget of R23,3 million. Underspending at the end of the fourth-quarter amounted to R17,1 million or 73,6%.
COVID-19 spending
In relation to expenditure on COVID-19, the Department had spent R2.8 million on COVID-19 personal protective equipment, which included uniforms and protective clothing, washing and cleaning detergents, medical equipment and cleaning services.
2.1.2. Overview and assessment 2020/21 fourth-quarter service delivery performance
For the 2020/21 fourth-quarter, the Department had 81 targets spread across all six budget programmes. The Department achieved 58 or 72% of the planned targets.
(i) Programme 1: Administration
The purpose of this Programme is to provide strategic leadership, management and support services to the Department. The programme had six targets, of which three (3) or 50% were achieved. The targets that were achieved included: the demand and procurement plan for 2021/22, which was approved by the Director-General (DG); the percentage of network connectivity uptime (98%) and 136 days against the target of 150 days to fill an advertised post.
Targets that were not achieved include: the percentage of disciplinary cases resolved within 90 days (100%). The achievement was 79%; the percentage of investigations on irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure concluded within 90 days, and the percentage of valid invoices received from creditors paid within 30 days (100%).
The programme had spent R399,4 million or 99,3% at the end of the fourth-quarter against the available budget of R402,2 million. Underspending at the end of the quarter under review was R2,8 million or 0,7%.
(ii) Programme 2: Planning, Policy and Strategy
The purpose of the Programme is to provide strategic direction in the development, implementation and monitoring of Departmental policies and the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa.
The programme had 14 targets during the fourth-quarter, and it achieved 11 or 78,5% of the targets. Three targets that were not achieved include two new agreements on international scholarships entered into with foreign countries (one international scholarship agreement was assigned between South Africa and France); a conceptual framework on integrated planning for the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system approved by the DG by 31 March 2021, and priority Skills Plan approved by the DG by 31 March 2021.
The programme had spent R191,3 million or 101,2% of the available budget against the available budget of R189,0 million. The programme recorded overspending amounting to R2,3 million or 1,2%. The overspending was attributed to a National Treasury approved virement of R10,8 million, from savings on goods and services in programme 4: TVET due to reduced examination-related activities as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, to increase the transfer payment to Universities South Africa’s Higher Health Programme to assist the CET sector to comply with the COVID-19 regulations and to provide health and wellness services to students.
(iii) Programme 3: University Education
The programme develops and coordinate policy and regulatory frameworks for an effective and efficient university education system and to provide financial and other support to universities, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and national higher education institutions. For the quarter under review, the programme had 18 targets and achieved 17 or 94,4%. The programme developed the norms and standards for PSET student housing, which was submitted to the Minister for approval to publish for public comment; allocated 100 new Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) lecturer posts to universities; made 25 awards to permanent instructional or research staff at universities to participate in the Future Professors Programme and produced the system monitoring and evaluation reports.
The target to have six public universities and nine TVET colleges utilizing the Central Application System was not achieved as planned.
The programme had spent R78,4 billion or 100,0% of the available budget at the end of the fourth-quarter. A higher than projected spending amounting to R35,8 million was recorded, which was ascribed to a National Treasury approved virement of R50 million mainly from goods and services across all programmes to increase the transfer payment to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cover a portion of their budget shortfall for the 2021 academic year.
(iv) Programme 4: Technical and Vocational Education and Training
The purpose of this Programme is to plan, develop, implement, monitor, maintain and evaluate national policy, programmes, assessment practices and systems for TVET. The programme had 18 targets for the quarter under review. The Department achieved 12 or 66,6% of the targets. The Minister approved the draft framework to accommodate students with disabilities and the certification backlog was reduced to less than 0,5% of qualifying students per examination. It is also commendable that 161 lecturers obtained professional qualifications as this will go a long way in addressing the under-qualification of TVET college lecturer and to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the sector.
Targets that were not achieved include, amongst others: a comprehensive proposal for the expansion of the TVET college system approved by the Minister; draft governance standards and regulations for TVET college Council approved by the DG; guidelines for placements of students and lecturers in the workplace for experiential learning approved by the GD and five new or revised subject curricula for TVET colleges approved by the DG for implementation.
The programme had spent R12,5 billion or 98,6% of the available budget. The lower than projected spending amounting to R179,5 million or 1,4% was recorded. The underspending was under compensation of employees as claims from examiners and moderators for April and June 2020 examinations were not received as projected due to the postponement and restructuring of TVET college national examinations as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions.
(v) Programme 5: Skills Development
The purpose of the Programme is to promote and monitor the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS III) and to develop a skills development policy and regulatory framework for an effective skills development system. During the 2020/21 fourth-quarter, the programme had 11 targets. The Department achieved seven (7) or 63,6% of the targets. The targets that were achieved include: 21 Sector Skills Plans (SSP) are aligned to the updated SSP Framework approved by the Minister; Revised Service Level Agreements approved by the DG; the Sector Occupations in High Demand approved by the DG; 300 000 learners who completed learnerships; 4 550 learners who completed internships annually; report on the implementation of the NSDS by SETAs approved by the DG and 30 days against 40-days average lead time from qualifying trade test applications received until the trade test is conducted.
The programme did not achieve the Medium-term Strategic Framework (MTSF) system targets. The targets that were not achieved include: 20 000 learners entering artisanal programmes; 100 000 learners or students placed in workplace-based learning (WBL) programmes; 146 000 learners registered in skills development programmes and 19 000 artisans found competent.
The programme had spent R273,7 million or 96,9% of the available budget., and recording lower than projected spending amounting to R8,8 million or 3,1%.
(vi) Programme 6: Community Education and Training
The purpose of this Programme is to plan, develop, implement, monitor, maintain and evaluate national policy, programme assessment practices and systems for community education and training. For the 2020/21 fourth-quarter, the programme had 14 planned targets. The programme achieved eight (8) or 57,1% of the targets. The targets that were achieved included: advocacy strategy for the CET colleges was approved by the DG; Guidelines on the provision of open access Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) for students in CET colleges approved by the Minister; National Policy on student and Community Support Services for CET colleges approved by the Minister; 10% of earmarked funding allocated to capacitate 54 pilot centres; report on teaching and learning improvement plans approved by the DG; register of CET programmes approved by the DG; a report on capacity-building workshops conducted to capable centres and councils was approved by the DG and report on CET college sector’s performance approved by the DG.
The targets that were not achieved include, amongst others: a digital skills programme in CET colleges approved, which was achieved outside of the timeframe; entrepreneurship programmes in CET colleges approved; 100% CET college compliance with the policy on the conduct and management of examinations and assessments; and 1 220 CET college lecturers trained.
Expenditure at the end of the 20202/21 fourth-quarter, the programme had spent R2 billion or 89,1% of the available budget. The lower than projected spending amounting to R244,4 million or 10,9%. The underspending was mainly under compensation of employees due to delays in the filling of vacant posts and delays in receiving claims from examiners and moderators of the February/March 2021 examinations.
2.2. 2020/21 FIRST-QUARTER PERFORMANCE
2.2.1. Overview of the 2021/22 First-Quarter financial performance
Table 2: Budget allocation and expenditure for the First-Quarter of the 2021/22 financial year
R million
|
Available budget
|
Q1 Actual Expenditure |
Expenditure as % of available budget |
Q1 Projected expenditure |
Variance from projected expenditure |
% Variance from projected expenditure |
Programme |
||||||
Administration |
504,0 |
82,6 |
16,4% |
125,9 |
43,3 |
34,4% |
Planning, Policy and Strategy |
230,7 |
51,2 |
22,2 |
57,3 |
6,1 |
10,7% |
University Education |
81 223,3 |
40 934,3 |
50,4% |
42 128,7 |
1 194,4 |
2,8% |
Technical and Vocational Education and Training |
13 096,2 |
2 627,7 |
20,1% |
3 150,3 |
522,6 |
16,6% |
Skills Development |
307,9 |
68,7 |
22,3% |
76,4 |
7.6 |
10,0% |
Community Education and Training |
2 422,0 |
499,9 |
20,6% |
596,0 |
96,1 |
16,1% |
Sub-total |
97 784,0 |
44 264,5 |
45,3% |
46 134,6 |
1 870,2 |
4,1% |
Direct charges |
17 812,9 |
4 492,0 |
25,2% |
4 453,2 |
-38,8 |
-0,9% |
SETAs |
14 250,3 |
3 593,6 |
25,2% |
3 562,6 |
-31,1 |
-0,9% |
National Skills Fund |
3 562,6 |
898,4 |
25,2% |
890,6 |
-7,8 |
-0,9% |
Total |
115 596,9 |
48 756,5 |
42,2% |
50 587,8 |
1 831,3 |
3,6% |
Source: National Treasury, 2021
For the 2021/22 financial year, the Department was allocated R115,596 billion, made of R97, 784 billion of voted funds and R17, 812 billion of direct charges against the National Revenue Fund for Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the National Skills Fund (NSF). Expenditure at the end of the first-quarter, excluding direct charges amounted to R44,264 billion or 45,3% against the quarterly projected budget of R46,134 billion. The Department recorded lower than projected spending amounting to R1,9 billion or 4,1% of the available quarterly budget.
The lower than projected spending was attributed to delays in the transfer payments to higher education institutions that were not made as projected as low spending on compensation of employees due to vacant posts.
Expenditure on compensation of employees amounted to R2,091 billion against the quarterly projected expenditure amounting to R2,515 billion, translating into an underspending of R424,2 million or 16,9% from the quarterly projected expenditure. In terms of expenditure on goods and services, the Department had spent R77,8 million of the projected R157,2 million, recording lower than projected spending amounting to R79,4 million.
Expenditure on transfers and subsidies at the end of the first-quarter amounted to R42,094 billion translating into R1,357 billion or 3,1% lower than projected spending. Expenditure on payments for capital assets amounted to R0,9 million at the end of the first-quarter, against the quarterly projected expenditure of R12.9 million, translating in lower than projected spending amounting to R10,3 million.
2.2.2. Overview and assessment 2020/21 first-quarter service delivery performance
For the 2021/22 first quarter, the Department had 12 planned targets shared amongst the four budget programmes, namely; Administration, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Skills Development and Community Education and Training. The Department achieved eight or 67% of the targets.
(i) Programme 1: Administration
The purpose of this programme is to provide strategic leadership, management and support services to the Department. The programme had one target, to pay 100% of valid invoices received from creditors within 30 days. The achievement was 99%, which was missed marginally by 1%, which is an improvement compared to 97% achieved in the fourth-quarter of 2020/21.
At the end of the first-quarter, the programme had spent R82,6 million against quarterly projected expenditure of R129.9 million, resulting in lower than projected spending amounting to R43,3 million or 34,4% of the quarterly projected budget. The lower than projected spending was incurred in compensation of employees’ allocation due to unfilled vacant posts and under goods and services where invoices were not for items like computer services and consultants and advisory services.
(ii) Programme 2: Planning, Policy and Strategy
The programme provides strategic direction in the development, implementation and monitoring of departmental policies and in the human resource development strategy for South Africa. For the Quarter under review the programme had no planned targets.
The programme had spent R51,2 million against the projected quarterly expenditure of R57,3 million. The underspending amounted to R6,2 million or 10,7% of the available quarterly budget, mainly due to unfilled vacant posts.
(iii) Programme 3: University Education
The programme develops and coordinate policy and regulatory frameworks for an effective and efficient university education system and to provide financial and other support to universities, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and national higher education institutions.
The programme had no planned targets for the quarter under review. At the end of the first-quarter, the programme had spent R40 934,3 billion against the projected quarterly budget of R42 128,7 billion. The lower than projected spending of R1,2 billion or 2,8% of the available budget was mainly due to under transfer payments as some of the earmarked grants to universities were not made as projected due to outstanding progress report from universities that need to be submitted before the transfer is made. The delayed payments included the infrastructure grants to universities of Mpumalanga and Sol Plaatje, additionally, only 50% of the planned transfer to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for the operations due to a technical error by the Department.
(iv) Programme 4: Technical and Vocational Education and Training
The purpose of this Programme is to plan, develop, implement, monitor, maintain and evaluate national policy, programmes, assessment practices and systems for TVET. For the quarter under review, the programme had eight (8) targets. The programme achieved five (5) or 62,5% of the targets. The Department had developed a draft concept on three-year enrolment plan with differentiation in programme enrolment and the plan was approved by the Director-General and the terms of reference for the working and referencing group for the development of the final framework and guidelines to accommodate students with disabilities were approved.
Targets that were not achieved as planned include 100% reduction of certification backlog; draft standards for TVET college Councils approved by the DG by 30 June 2021; and a draft monitoring framework and plan for the implementation of the institutional maturity model approved by the DG by 30 June 2021.
Expenditure at the end of the first-quarter amounted to R2 627,7 billion against the projected quarterly budget of R3 150,3 billion. The programme recorded an underspending amounting to R522,6 million or 16,6%, mainly under compensation of employees due to unfilled vacant posts and the delay in the implementation of the post-provisioning norms for the TVET colleges due to disagreement with labour on the implementation process. The transfer of R179 million for TVET infrastructure was also not made as the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation first wanted the Department’s infrastructure oversight unit to be established before TVET infrastructure payments can resume. The Unit was expected to be established by 31 July 2021.
(v) Programme 5: Skills Development
The programme promotes and monitor the National Skills Development Strategy. Develop skills development policies and regulatory frameworks for an effective skills development system. During the 2021/22 first-quarter, the programme had two planned targets, which were achieved. A report on the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) was approved by the DG. The programme also achieved 35-days against the target of 40-day average lead time from qualifying trade test applications received until the trade test is conducted.
The programme spent R68,7 million against the projected quarterly budget of R76,4 million, translating into R7,6 million or 10,0% underspending. This was mainly due to unfilled vacant posts under compensation of employees and goods and services where invoices were not received for items like inventory: materials and supplies, stationery and travelling and subsistence.
(vi) Programme 6: Community Education and Training
The purpose of this Programme is to plan, develop, implement, monitor, maintain and evaluate national policy, programme assessment practices and systems for community education and training. The programme had one target for the quarter under review. A report on the CET college sector performance was approved by the DG on 25 June 2021.
Expenditure at the end of the first-quarter amounted to R499,9 million against the projected expenditure of R596,0 million. the programme recorded lower than projected spending amounting to R96,1 million or 16,1%, mainly under compensation of employees due to outstanding CET college claims that were not received as well as unfilled vacant posts.
- OBSERVATIONS
The Portfolio Committee having considered the 2020/21 fourth-quarter performance and 2021/22 first-quarter performance reports, made the following observations:
3.1. Programme 1: Administration
3.1.1. The Committee welcomed the appointment of the Deputy Director-General (DDG) for CET programme, which did not have a permanent DDG since its establishment. The Committee was informed that the DDG for University Education position was also advertised and recruitment processes were ongoing.
3.1.2. The Committee expressed a concern with respect to delays in resolving 100 percent of disciplinary cases within the 90-days target period. It was also noted with concern that the Presiding Officers withdrew from the proceedings, and the Committee urged the Department to ensure that there is a performance agreement signed with those who are appointed to preside over the disciplinary proceedings to ensure that cases are resolved within the targeted timeframes.
3.1.3. The delays with the payment of invoices to service providers within the 30 days prescribed period was noted as a concern as the non-payment of invoices will have adverse impact on sustainability of businesses, especially small businesses. The Committee was also concerned that staff responsible for payment of invoices were not provided with tools of trade to work remotely during COVID-19 lockdown period.
3.2. Programme 2: Planning, Policy and Strategy
3.2.1. The Department’s performance for the 2020/21 fourth-quarter stood at 72% which translates to 58 out 81 targets achieved. The Committee was concerned that underperformance had been recorded in core delivery programmes such as TVET and CET programmes that are critical for skills development to support the economy. Similarly, the performance of the 2021/22 first-quarter was 67%, which translated to 8 out of the 12 targets achieved.
3.2.2. The Committee noted with concern that the 2019 – 2024 Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) system targets for the University, TVET and CET branches were not included in the presentation. This lack of reporting limited the Committee’s ability to measure the system’s performance against the MTSF targets, especially that the three programmes are apportioned the bulk of the Department’s budget.
3.2.4. The Committee welcomed the strategy for expanding online learning, which was approved by the Minister on 31 March 2021. The Committee was concerned about the capacity to implement this strategy in light of the limited ICT capabilities, especially in the TVET sector.
3.2.5. The Committee expressed a concern about the ability of the Department to meet its targets in light of the reduced budget.
3.3. Programme 3: University Education
3.3.1. The Committee expressed its concern that out of the six universities that were to utilise the Central Application System (CAS), only two, Sefako Makgatho University (SMU) and the University of Limpopo agreed to participate.
3.4. Programme 4: Technical and Vocational Education and Training
3.4.1. The Department was commended for making significant strides in reducing the certification backlog, which has seen 96% of certificates distributed to colleges. Notwithstanding the 96% achievement is the reduction of the certification backlog, the Committee was concerned that the Department did not achieve day-zero certification backlog due to the challenges with migration to the new IT certification system and that not all data could be extracted for issuing certificates. Additionally, there were challenges with record-keeping, given that some of the backlog dated back to 1992.
3.4.2. The TVET entrepreneurship hubs initiative was welcomed and it was noted that these hubs could develop young people and women to participate in the economy, especially in the townships and rural areas where there are shopping malls.
3.4.3. The Committee welcomed the lecturer training and development initiative by the Department, which was aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning in the TVET sector. It was also commendable that some of the training programmes’ pedagogy was infused with technology and skills so that lecturers can develop ICT-related skills.
3.4.4. The Committee was concerned that the draft regulations to ensure the conduct of credible examinations were not approved by the Minister, given that the Continuing Education and Training Act in its current form does not have the provision to empower the Minister to develop such regulations. It was noted that the delays could have a negative impact management of examination in the sector.
3.4.5. The Committee expressed a concern about the impact of the recent unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on teaching and learning facilities in these provinces. The Committee was informed that only two TVET colleges had been affected by the recent unrest where computers were looted. There was no major impact of the unrest on the sector.
3.4.6. The underspending of the infrastructure grants for maintenance and building of new teaching and learning facilities in the TVET sector was noted as a concern.
3.4.7. The Committee expressed its concern regarding the possible closure of some TVET college campuses belonging to the Northern Cape Rural TVET college in areas such as De Aar and Kathu. The Department informed the Committee that it had not received a formal submission from the Council of the college concerning the possible closures.
3.4.8. The differences in the NSFAS allowances/stipend paid to TVET students in comparison with their university students was noted as a concern.
3.5. Programme 5: Skills Development
3.5.1. The Committee noted with concern the under-achievement in the placement of learners in industries to gain work-integrated learning, which was mainly due to restrictions placed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.5.2. The Committee noted with concern the inadequate communication by Sector Education and Training Authorities and the National Skills Fund regarding the skills development and related training opportunities in the PSET system.
3.5.3. The Committee noted the impact of the skills levy payment holiday which decreased the revenue of SETAs in 2020/21 and its impact on the delivery of skills development interventions, which had to be realigned in light of the reduced funding.
3.6. Programme 6: Community Education and Training
3.6.1. The Committee noted that the CET sector did not receive adequate funding so that it could fulfil its objectives. Furthermore, the progress with respect to the development of the sector has been slow.
3.6.2. The non-achievement of the target on digital skills programme was noted as a concern given the realities of Covid-19 which has compelled the PSET sector to improve its ICT capabilities in support of remote learning.
3.6.3. It was noted with concern that the training of lecturers in the CET sector could not take place due to Covid-19 restrictions and lecturers did not have digital devices to access virtual training.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends that the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation considers the following:
4.1. Programme 1: Administration
4.1.1. Consequence management be implemented against staff members that are implicated in irregular expenditure cases at the Department.
4.1.2. The Department expedites the filling of the Director-General (DG), DDG for University Education and other vacant funded positions.
4.1.3. The Department should address causes of the non-payment of invoices to ensure non- recurrence and that creditors are paid within the 30 days prescribed period. Furthermore, the Department should provide the staff with tools of trade needed so that they can perform their duties whilst working remotely.
4.2. Programme 2: Planning Policy and Strategy
4.2.1. The Department should consider the possibility of reviewing the CET Act to provide for the Ministerial powers to develop regulations to strengthen governance through the development of governance standard regulations and regulations for the conduct of credible TVET examinations.
4.2.2. The Department ensures that its future presentations on quarterly performance reports include the MTSF system performance targets and report on targets be consistent in all programmes.
4.2.3. The expansion of the vaccination programme in collaboration with Higher Health in the PSET sector should be expedited to increase the number of students and staff vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic.
4.3. Programme 3: University Education
4.3.1. The Department provides requisite support to universities so that they can participate in the Central Application System pilot. The outcomes of this pilot project should also be reported to the Committee.
4.4. Programme 4: TVET
4.4.1. The review of the student funding model should consider the need to ensure parity of allowances disbursed to students in both the TVET and university sectors, in particular meals, accommodation and transport allowances.
4.4.2. TVET colleges should be given the necessary support to improve their capacity to manage and spend infrastructure efficiency grants to improve the maintenance of their existing infrastructure and construction on new teaching and learning facilities.
4.4.3. The Department should undertake a study to evaluate the impact of the TVET lecturer training programme on teaching and learning in the sector.
4.5. Programme 6: CET
4.5.1. The Department should expedite the training and development of lecturers in the CET sector to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
4.5.2. CET lecturers should be provided with digital devices to improve their digital skills, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
4.5.3. The CET sector needs adequate funding to improve its development and expand access to more out of school youth and adults.
Report to be considered.
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