ATC230525:Report of the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure on Budget Vote 7: National School of Government and on the Strategic Plan and 2023-24 Annual Performance Plan of the National School of Government Dated 24 May 2023

NCOP Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure

Report of the Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure on Budget Vote 7: National School of Government and on the Strategic Plan and 2023-24 Annual Performance Plan of the National School of Government Dated 24 May 2023

 

The Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works Infrastructure, having considered the revised Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan of the National School of Government and Budget Vote 7: National School of Government, reports as follows:

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

1. The Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works Infrastructure (the Committee) considered the 2023/24 budget of the National School of Government on 3 May 2023. In preparation for this report, the Committee was briefed on the revised Strategic Plan, 2023/24 Annual Performance Plan (APP) and 2023/24 Budget Allocations of the NSG.

 

1. Revised Strategic Plan and 2023/24 Annual performaNce plan

 

1. The NSG is in the process of undertaking the necessary processes to prepare for its strategic repositioning towards the practical application of a body of knowledge related to affective public management.

 

1. Through partnerships with Tertiary Education Institutions, the NSG is preparing to launch courses that prepare public servants for the demands of modern day governance including courses on forecasting and scenario planning, cyber security and economic governance.

 

1. The NSG is targeting 46 480 learners in all forms of Education, Training and Development offerings in the 2023/24 financial year and this will increase to 50 500 learners in the 2024/45 financial year and 54 520 learners in the 2024/25 financial year.

 

1. The NSG will be pursuing the accreditation of a postgraduate qualification. To offer qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework, the NSG will partner with a recognised Public Higher Education Institution which will in turn be responsible for seeking accreditation of the postgraduate qualification on behalf of the NSG from the Quality Council.

 

1. The Nyukela Programme, which is currently targeted for Senior Management Services entry into the public service, will be cascaded down to the Middle Management Services (MMS) during the 2023/24 financial year and local government during the 2024/25 financial year. The courses content covers, amongst other, partnerships in building a cohesive society, administration of law and public policy and implementation of government’s commitments

 

1. 2023/24 Budget Allocation and Medium Term Expenditure Framework

 

1. The NSG has a total budget of over R717.2 million over the MTEF period.

 

1. The number of online Education, Training and Development interventions provided over the medium term is expected to increase from 8 in 2022/23 to 10 in 2025/26. This will include the implementation of six (6) information and communication technology (ICT) projects per year. These activities will be carried out in the Administration programme, which is allocated R355.4 million over the MTEF period.

 

1. The NSG will continue to work on revising its funding model by considering alternative and broader (beyond the appropriated allocations) sources of revenue. Spending for Education, Training and Development offerings activities fall within an allocation of R338.9 million over the medium term in the Management and Corporate Services subprogrammes in the Administration programme.

 

1. The NSG has targeted the generation of R101m in revenue and other funding sources in the trading Training Account (TTA).

 

1. OBSERVATIONS AND KEY FINDINGS

 

1. The NSG developed Project Khaedu, which was designed to equip public servants with the theory and practice required to unblock service delivery challenges. The programme was customised for the African context and made available to other African governments for use.

 

1. The NSG has had engagements with Heads of Departments developing public management curriculum at tertiary institutions. The aim of the engagements have been to foster integration between theory and practice and to integrate the professionalisation of public service into the curricula.

 

1. The NSG is leveraging its international partnerships to provide international learning opportunities and access to international knowledge hubs.

 

1. The NSG provide education and training opportunities across the broad career path of public servants, ranging from induction to Master Classes offered by NSG Senior Fellows, amongst whom are former Director Generals.  

 

1. recommendations

 

The Committee recommends that the Minister should ensure that the NSG:

 

1. In its engagement with Tertiary Education Institutions, take up the State Capture Report recommendation of the development of a Supply Chain Management and Procurement degree level qualification.  

 

1. Incorporate project management theory and practice into its learning opportunities, as the Minister has acknowledged the public sector shortage in project management skills.

 

1. Extend its training interventions for Traditional Leaders in the Art of Facilitation for Traditional Leaders to the reaming provinces, (i.e. beyond KwaZulu – Natal and the Eastern Cape) in light of, for example, the role assigned to Traditional Leaders to participate in governance structures (e.g. on Municipal Councils in terms of the Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998).

 

The Committee recommends that the Council approve the budget of the Department of the National School of Government. [The DA reserved its position on the report and abstained and the EFF voted against the adoption of the report.]

 

Report to be considered.