1. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is aware of cases where employees have submitted false academic qualifications and/or forged academic certificates and views these transgressions in a very serious light.
2. In her 2004 Budget speech the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms GJ Fraser-Moleketi, emphasised the Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy which, inter alia, will focus on administering the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Act 12/2004), and the responsibility of making employees risk and ethics-aware within the context of the eight principles of Batho Pele. This would inevitably also include learners, parents, educators, members of school management teams and school governing bodies, and WCED officials at all levels.
3. In accordance with Section 51(1)(a)(i) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), (1/1999), the WCED has conducted risk assessments and implemented policies and plans to counteract fraud. This reflects its overall approach to fraud and corruption and its resolve to eradicate dishonesty, corruption and related transgressions.
4. Section 18(1)(aa) of the Employment of Educators Act, (Act 76/1998), and Resolution 1/2003 of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) list the forging of records and fraud as acts of misconduct. The WCED has therefore adopted a zero tolerance attitude towards such misconduct and will petition presiding officers to impose a sanction of dismissal if an employee is found guilty of the submission of false academic qualifications and/or forged academic certificates.
5. Sifting and interviewing committees and appointment authorities are reminded that it is their responsibility to scrutinise and, especially, to verify the academic qualifications of applicants. This should help to minimise the risk of appointing people with fraudulent qualifications and promote effectiveness, efficiency and professionalism in the Education sector and the Public Service.
6. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned.


SIGNED: J.H. HURTER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2004:10:01