1. The impact of the current economic climate on the financial resources of Western Cape Education Department has made it necessary to introduce extraordinary austerity measures.
2. In accordance with Section 36(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) a school governing body (SGB) must take all reasonable measures to supplement the resources supplied by the state in order to improve the quality of education at the school.
3. At those schools where it is applicable, the SGB must re-emphasise to parents the need to pay school fees. At no-fees schools, donations must be encouraged by the SGB.
4. The school's funds must be carefully managed, and spending on goods and services which are not absolutely necessary must be avoided.
5. SGBs must also ensure the implementation of the following savings measures regarding municipal services, as stated in Annexure B of Circular No. 0034/2008, which relates to Norms and Standards:
5.1 Electricity

  1. Outside lights must be switched off during the day;
  2. Only when natural light is inadequate should classroom lights be switched on during the day;
  3. Only the security lights and lights of corner classrooms must be switched on at night. During weekends and school holidays these lights must be switched on at night and switched off in the morning;
  4. The installation of pre-paid electricity meters must be considered, as schools will be able to exercise better control over their use of and spending on electricity. ESKOM and most other municipalities have indicated that they are able to install these meters;
5.2 Water

  1. Water sprinklers must be used sparingly, and turned off when lawns and flower beds are wet enough;
  2. The water supply to urinals and taps outside the buildings must be turned off at the stopcocks when not required, e.g. after school hours and especially during weekends;
  3. Personnel must ensure that all taps are properly turned off before they leave the premises;
  4. Supply pipes and water meters must be checked regularly for leaks and defects. The following measures must be followed:
    • When the school closes for the day, ensure that all taps are turned off and take the meter reading;
    • Take another reading in the morning before any taps are opened;
    • Compare the two readings and, if they differ, take the following steps:
      • When the school closes the next day, close the stopcocks and take a meter reading;
      • Take a reading the next morning before the stopcocks are opened;
      • If there is still a difference between the readings, it indicates that the water meter is defective or that there is a pipe leakage;
      • Arrangements must then be made immediately to have the water meter and/or pipe repaired or replaced;
5.3 Refuse removal

Monitor the number of refuse bins being used at the school. Local authorities normally levy a tariff per bin and so it is important to use as few refuse bins as possible. Consideration could also be given to appointing a private contractor to remove the school's refuse.
6. Finally, the procedure for the management and retrieval of textbooks must be revisited. In this connection, you are referred to that section of the Basic Financial Manual for Schools (Second Edition, 2006), which deals with the necessity of having an effective textbook retrieval system.
7. Your co-operation in the above regard will be greatly appreciated.


SIGNED: LJ ELY
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:08:26