To ensure that the conduct of the Committee is to be sensitive to provincial interests at the National Parliament through considering oversight activities and insist on compliance with policy provisions with specific reference to:

• Department of Education
• Department of Sports and Recreation
• Departments of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology

And report to Parliament on all findings on activities above thereby influencing Parliaments views on matters concerning the above.

Given the mandate of committees, this committee tried to live up to the expectations it has set at their Strategic Planning Workshop at the beginning of 2003. The oversight and accountability role within the committee scope was limited due to the fact of slot allocation and the approval of applications to fulfil the broad aspects of our own mandate set.

To stimulate, nurture and protect the arts and culture of the country, and focus on institutional capacity, gender policies, moral regeneration and linguistic diversity in order to allow South Africans to participate fully in social, political and economic life.

To guide, sustain and develop the heritage, archives, and information institutions of these institutions of the country in order to ensure good governance, the transformation of these institutions and access to these resources of all.

To manage the development, implementation, evaluation and maintenance of national policy, programmes and systems for general education.

To provide strategic direction and develop policy for an effective and efficient higher education system that contributes to fulfilling the human resources, research and knowledge needs of South Africa.

To improve quality of life through access to and spread of technology, and creating capacity and skills for innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge.

To take responsibility for the development of bilateral and multilateral co-operation in Science and Technology to strengthen the national system of innovation, and for a coherent strategic programme to access overseas development assistance for Science and Technology in South Africa on the African continent.

To increase participation in sport and recreation as well as improving the performance of South Africa in Sport, in order to enhance quality of life.

To enhance access to performance in sport and recreation activities, empower community sport and recreation organisations, and recreate permanent and temporary jobs to fight poverty and improve quality of life through the provision of sport and recreation.

The Bill was referred to the Committee on the 16 April 2003. The Committee received briefings from SAPS on the 3^rd June 2003 and by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology on the 10^th June 2003.

The Bill provides for the establishment of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions and for the registration of professional, candidate and certified natural scientists, and for matters connected therewith.

The Bill was formally considered on the 05 August 2003 with proposed amendments by SAPS. The committee agreed to the proposed amendments.

The Bills were referred to the Committee on the 16 September 2003.The Department of Education briefed the Committee on the 18 September 2003.

Education Laws Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997).

The Bills were finalised on the 18 November 2003. The Committee agreed to the Education Laws Amendment Bill with amendments. There were no amendments on the Higher Education Amendment Bill.

Both Bills were debated on the 25 November 2003.

Promotion of Multilingualism Bill- (Mr A E van Niekerk)

The Department of Arts and Culture briefed the committee on the 05 August 2003.

The Committee conducted a study tour to KwaZulu Natal province.

The main focus was on the following issues:

• Early Childhood Development (ECD)
• Adult Basic Education (ABET)
• Education for Learners with Special Education Needs (ELSEN)
• Governance in schools (School Governing Bodies)
• Programmes on HIV/Aids
• Primary School Nutrition Programme
• School vandalism and sexual abuse
• School staffing and availability of classes.
• General challenges facing the schools.

• School sports and extra- mural activities
• Programmes for the disabled and disadvantaged
• Rural Sport Development
• Women Sport
• Funding policy for sports development

• The committee also looked at ongoing projects and programmes started, as this is a major area in the provinces that needs to be developed.
• The Committee visited to Cultural Heritages sites, as to assist the Committee in helping provinces preserve and declare sites as national treasures, and promote a culture of national pride.

NB: Refer to the Committee report on findings and recommendations.

21 July 2003

27 October 2003

03 February 2003

26 March 2003

13 May 2003

04 June 2003

21 July 2003

22 September 2003

14 October 2003

c) Committee Assistant: Ms C Adams

d) Secretary to Chairperson: Ms R van Rooyen

The oversight role of this committee is limited by the NCOP’s cycle of operation. It needs to be coordinated to accommodate specific committee needs as well.

This committee has been successful in calling the various, relevant departments to board in reporting on specific issues. We, however, failed to get DACST to report on the financial implications of the two Private Members Legislative Proposals a language and enforcement powers for PANSALB.

Because of specific institutional constraints, the committee was prohibited to utilize its budget for empowering its members and for fulfilling its oversight function.

Annual Report of the SC on Education and Recreation: 2003, having been put to the committee was adopted