Statement by Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

The increased allocation in the education budget will primarily be used to provide the poorest schools with libraries, science labs, halls and extra classes; and to expand grade R; as well as provide further teacher training and improved school management systems.

The budget of R9,019,913,000 is again the bulk of the provincial government budget. This is up from the R7,685 billion budget of the 2007/08 financial year. By far the greatest portion goes to the primary and secondary school system, including schools for special needs learners.

In the next three years we will target improving the quality of education. These include systemic evaluation and in-service training and teacher development programmes to enhance the quality of teaching in critical subjects such as mathematics and life orientation.

Furthermore, the budget will also prioritise the following:

• School building and maintenance.
• Inclusive Education and Special Schools.
• Training of ECD practitioners at ECD sites.
• Continuous expansion and improvement in the quality of Grade R.
• Learner support materials for Grades 10 to 12.
• Expansion of the National School Nutrition Programme.

The number and category of learners are the main cost drivers in the allocation of the education department’s budget. Except in the case of Grade R at community sites and adult learning centres, the funding of the educational institutions mainly consists of the allocation of staff and the allocation of norms and standards funding.

In the school system, Norms and Standards funding is allocated according to national poverty quintiles with the poorest quintile receiving, on average, six times more than the least poor.

The focus of this Budget on matters of access and redress is a critical reminder of what the business of this government is. The decades of inequity still reflect in our school infrastructure; it reflects in the fact that most schools are located in areas of poverty and crime; and it reflects in the fact that our very teachers are not fully equipped to give the necessary academic input.

In this year, we commit ourselves to shaping and managing improved achievement of learning outcomes through further teacher training and development, and target-setting and accountability across the system.

I want the prevailing message for our schools, colleges, ABET centres and to our parents and stakeholders, to be that we are entering a time of stability. We will be consolidating and moving steadily forward.

We know what the needs are and we will do all in our power to support teachers and learners. We are expanding our vision from “A learning home for all” to “A quality learning home for all” and commit ourselves to service.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 528 8278, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

The Western Cape - A Home for All
INtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
Die Wes-Kaap - 'n Tuiste vir Almal