Nyakallo Tefu
Limpopo MEC for Education Polly Boshielo says the 2020/2021 education budget will prioritize infrastructure and sanitation at schools, Early Childhood Development (ECD), School Safety and Skills for the Changing World.
Boshielo tabled the education department’s budget vote at the legislative chambers in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, on Thursday last week.
She said the department has been allocated R33.794 billion for the 2020/2021 financial year.
She said the budget was made up of R27 billion for Compensation of Employees, R3, 0 billion for goods and services, R2.5 billion for transfers and Subsidies and R1.2 billion for Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG).
Boshielo said the department has set aside R3.4 billion for key school infrastructure projects in the province, including the building of toilets, building of new schools, sanitation facilities, maintenance and general repairs.
“The Infrastructure budget will be utilized towards the building of new and replacement infrastructure, upgrading of existing infrastructure; refurbishment, rehabilitation and renovations of existing infrastructure (including storm damaged schools), as well as maintenance and repairs of existing infrastructure,” said Boshielo.
“We need to indicate that this budget speech is delivered at the time that the world is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. This situation will create a new normalcy which might necessitate a review of the APP and the reprioritisation of our budget.”
She said by the end of the academic year 2020, 500 schools would be part of the entrepreneurship and employability education programme.
Smart Classrooms will be established in 106 schools and 110 schools will pilot coding and robotics.
Boshielo said in terms of training and development, 50 488 educators will be trained on the implementation of the Quality Management System this financial year.
“492 principals of underperforming schools will be trained on Curriculum Management and Support. 400 teachers and 100 subject advisors will be trained on subject content and methodology in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Commercial subjects. The department will continue to use the 1% levy to fund bursaries and training programmes for officials,” she said.
(Compiled by Inside Education staff)
