Staff Reporter
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule, Acting DG Dr Granville Whittle and senior managers briefed the newly appointed Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in Parliament, Cape Town, on Friday.
The purpose of the session was to reflect on the 2024 African Union theme, outcomes, and challenges related to Education; present the DBE’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) 2024/25 to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education; and renew the focus on actions and efforts for improving learning and instructional effectiveness on outcomes and impacts.
The Portfolio Committee (PC) presentation was chaired by the newly appointed Chairperson, Khomotjo Maimela. With the establishment of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education for the 7th Parliament, the Portfolio Committee urgently needed to process and engage with the DBE, as well as the South African Council for Educators (SACE) and the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) on Budget Vote 16: Basic Education, including the Annual Performance Plan 2024/25.
Other important areas covered in the presentation included the size and shape of the Basic Education Sector; Government priorities; progress on selected deliverables, including school infrastructure, the National Senior Certificate (NSC), workbooks, Funza Lushaka, the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), the Early Childhood Development (ECD) shift; and the Annual Performance Plan towards long-term outcomes.
The first presentation was delivered by the DBE’s Ms Nosipho Mbonambi, Director for Strategic Planning and Reporting, whilst Mr Pat Khunou, DBE’s DDG for Finance, delivered the presentation on the DBE’s budget.
Minister Gwarube reaffirmed the Department’s commitment towards working with the PC to ensure vigorous accountability. “I encourage the PC to conduct oversight for the Department to engage with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) where the rubber hits the tar to ensure follow-up and implementation.
“The Deputy Minister and I will visit all nine provinces to meet with MECs to establish the unique challenges each province faces. We must identify critical priorities to acknowledge and support the right and dignity of each child to attend school in safe environments.
“Collaboration through a transversal government approach with, amongst others, the Departments of Higher Education, Social Development, Health, Public Works and Transport are important for us to accelerate service delivery within our communities.”
Deputy Minister Mhaule added that, “we welcome vibrant PC members who will keep us on our toes”.
She encouraged them to continually engage with the Department on various matters related to education for these to be addressed.
Dr Mhaule gave insight on the relationship with provinces, infrastructure, budget cuts and overcrowding in urban schools. “As we are commencing with the 7th Administration and the Government of National Unity (GNU), I appeal to us to work together; it is in our hands to make a better world, and country for all who live in it,” she aptly quoted former President, Nelson Mandela during Nelson Mandela Month.
She took the opportunity to welcome the presentation and to introduce the DBE delegation to the newly appointed PC members. Ms Maimela highlighted the importance of meeting the 2024 African Union Theme: “Educating an African fit for the 21st Century: building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, qualitative, lifelong and relevant learning for Africa” with its 10 targeted outcomes, and presented the PC members an opportunity to engage with the Ministry and senior DBE officials. Matters of interest raised included, amongst others, school infrastructure, inclusive education, empowering learners with 21st Century skills, ECD and school safety.
Khomotjo Maimela, the Portfolio Committee on Education Chairperson, adopted its report on the 2024 annual performance plan (APP) and the budget of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and its entities.
“The committee had extensive and fruitful discussions with the DBE and the entities that we oversee. We note all the progress made but want to emphasise that more needs to be done. We will strengthen the department’s work to ensure further engagement regarding issues of concern.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
