POLOKWANE – DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle, said the party was deeply concerned about the department of education’s severe underspending of over R1,9 billion on its grant allocation as revealed during a portfolio committee meeting earlier this month.
Smalle spoke during a debate on education at the Limpopo Legislature on Tuesday,
He said these grants of more than R2,3 billion were meant for:
• The nutrition programme, which was allocated R1.3 billion, but only 19% was spent.
• The education infrastructure grant was allocated R805 million, but only 21% was spent.
• Maths, science and technology grant of R41 million, only 0.5% was spent to procure computers and mathematics kits.
• EPWP incentive grant of R2.1 million, 0% was spent.
• HIV/aids (lifeskills education) grant of R31 million, only 1% was spent.
“Reasons for variance from the stipulated targets range from new tenders still being advertised, identifying beneficiaries through other departments or procurement processes still in progress,” said Smalle.
“This house knows that it is the systemic decay within the department that causes this severe lack of management. It is time that this department prioritises its core mandate: to provide quality education to the learners of Limpopo.Efficient planning processes must be implemented and strict compliance to legislation adhered to and officials who disregard this must be held to account.”
He further said a lack of expenditure and implementation of these grants compounded by the cap of norms and standards funding from the allocated R1 161 to R320 meant that 80% matric pass rate target set by the department could be a pipe dream.
“The department should adopt the DA’s successful approach of “no learner left behind” and aim for 100% pass rate. This is achievable through the effective use of all available resources, including the spending of grants.
The DA calls on MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe to put the department on terms to ensure all budget allocations are spent efficiently and to hold officials accountable.”
