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EDWIN NAIDU
THE Eastern Cape DoE had faced severe budgetary pressures that had impacted its ability to carry out some of its planned activities, coupled with the service delivery challenges experienced in different facets of its operational spectrum.
Despite this, the notable improvements in 2022, particularly the examination outcomes, should be seen in the context of the system-wide education transformation plan of the Department.
Its strategic thrust was to maximise opportunities for learners to achieve a good pass in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations whilst improving performance in the whole system.
The Department’s expenditure had increased from R37.507 billion in 2019/20 to a revised estimate of R39.796 billion in 2022/23.
The 2023/24 budget allocation had increased slightly by 3.3% to R41.128 billion, mainly due to additional funds allocated for personnel and norms and standards in the baseline.
Further reprioritisation of the baseline budget had been undertaken to increase funding provision for learner-teacher support material (LTSM), school furniture, coding and robotics, vocational and technical equipment, agricultural schools, maintenance of ECD centres, and information communication technology (ICT) in schools.
During the discussion, the NCOP heard that the Department would continue to prioritise the rationalisation and realignment of unviable schools for optimum resource distribution, through the densification of schools for enhanced and effective school management that would result in improved learning outcomes.
The Department had also said that they would continue to ensure the provision of an appropriate package of support to viable secondary schools in quintiles 1 to 3.
It had also been resolved that the provision of quality education was the main factor behind the rationalisation of small and unviable schools. The second objective was improved financial efficiency and the re-distribution of resources to where they were most needed.
The process of rationalisation of schools was complex, so it would be informed by a provincial education plan, based on a needs assessments and merger trends.
Infrastructure revitalisation and development would be aligned with the rationalisation process.
The Department had also resolved to continue teaching robotics and coding in the primary phase and to increase the number of schools that offered coding and robotics classes.
INSIDE EDUCATION