ANNUAL REPORT [FEBRUARY TO NOVEMBER 2003]

  1. COMMITTEE: PC ON EDUCATION

    1. Chairperson: Prof S M Mayatula

Period from August 1999 to date

Chairperson’s overview:

The Portfolio Committee on Education worked well and achieved most of its objectives. Both the Education and Statutory Bodies appeared before the Committee to account.

The discussions though robust at times, were conducted with an air of understanding and maturity among the different parties. The visits to the Provinces, namely, Gauteng and Northern Cape were eye openers to Members and were beneficial to the schools and structures contacted. It is always gratifying to receive correspondence from such structures, asking for further assistance.

Unfortunately, our budget did not allow Members to some important educational conferences and meetings to which the Committee was invited. As most of these are held in the Gauteng area, the Committee ended up requesting Members from that area to volunteer and attend without being funded.

2. OBJECTIVES: As part of its oversight functions, the Committee makes all laws relating to Education, monitors policy implementation, facilitates public participation or oversees all its entities or statutory bodies.

1.3 List of statutory entities overseen by Committee:

1.3.1 Council for Higher Education (CHE) – This Council was established by the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997) and is responsible for advising the Minister on all aspects of higher education, including funding arrangements, language policy and the appropriated shape and education system. It also holds executive responsibility for quality assurance through its permanent sub-committee, the Higher Education Quality Committee.

1.3.2 South African Council of Educators (SACE) – This Council is responsible for the registration of all educators (public and privately employed), promoting their professional development and upholding the ethical and professional standards of educators.

1.3.3 Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) – This Council is a bargaining council for education sector. The Council consists of equal representation of the employer (national and provincial departments of education) and the employees (trade unions representing educators). It aims to create effective and constructive labour relations in the education sector and to ensure the promotion and transformation of education at all levels of society.

1.3.4 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) – The main role is to provide access to higher education for economically needy but academically able South Africans.

1.3.5 Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) – The Committee has the mandate to promote quality assurance in higher education, audit the quality assurance mechanisms of higher education institutions and accredit programmes of higher education.

1.3.6 South African Quality Authority (SAQA) – The main functions of the Authority are two fold: (1) To oversee the development of the NQF, by formulating and publishing policies and criteria for the registration of bodies responsible for establishing education and training standards or qualifications and for the accreditation of bodies responsible for monitoring and auditing achievements in terms of such standards and qualification. (2) To oversee the implementation of the NQF by ensuring registration, accreditation and assignment of functions to the bodies referred to above as well as the registration of national standards and qualifications on the framework. It must also take steps to ensure that provisions for accreditation are compiled with and where appropriate, that registered standards and qualifications are internationally comparable.

1.3.7 National Board for Education and Training (NBET) – Its task is to advise the Minister of Education on matters related to Further Education and Training.

1.3.8 South African Certification Council (SAFCERT) – This newly established Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (or UMALUSI, as it will be known) plays a critical role in ensuring a high quality education and training system for all South Africans.

1.3.9 Council that interacts with the Committee: Council of Education Ministers: consisting of the Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister of Education and the nine provincial Executive Council Members for Education meet regularly to discuss the promotion of national education policy, share information and views on all aspects of education in South Africa and coordinate action on matters of mutual interest. The Chairperson as the Member of the Council attends and represents the Committee in all its meetings.

  1. SUPPORT:

2.1 Control Committee Secretary: Mr T Madima Period from September 2000 to date

2.2 Committee Secretary: Ms N C Manjezi Period from June 1997 to 30 April 2003 Committee Secretary: Mr S Morometsi Period from November 2003 to date

2.3 Committee Assistant: Ms N Borotho Period from May 2001 to date

2.4 Secretary to Chairperson: Ms A Van der Meulen Period from August 1999 to date

    1. Researcher (Research Unit): Mr W Manona Period from February 2003 to date

    2. Legal Support: None

  1. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE (Include dates of appointment and discharges)

Membership

Member

Appointment Date

Discharge Date

African National Congress

Mr T A Abrahams

Ms E Gandhi (alternate)

Mr J J Kgarimetsa (alternate)

Mr L M Kgwele

Mr B M Komphela

Mr D D Mabuza

Ms N Mahlawe

Prof S M Mayatula

Ms M P Mentor

Ms P N Mnandi

Mr L J Modisenyane (alternate)

Mr B G Molewa

Mr K Moonsamy (alternate)

Mr S D Montsitsi (alternate)

Mr B Mthembu (alternate members)

Ms I Mutsila (alternate member)

Ms D G Nhlengethwa

Mrs M A A Njobe (alternate member)

Ms S B Ntuli

Mr L P M Nzimande (alternate member)

Prof S S Ripinga

Mr I Vadi

Mr R P Z Van der Heever

 

As per ATC dated 09 June 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As per Minutes of proceedings dated 17/02/03

As per ATC dated 28/03/2003

As per ATC dated 04/04/2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Democratic Alliance

Mr E K Moorcroft

Mr R S Ntuli

Mr W P Doman

 

 

 

 

 

As per ATC dated 19 June 2003

 

 

 

As per ATC dated 28/02/03

Inkatha Freedom Party

Mr A M Mpontshane

Mr B C Ngiba

Prince E N Zulu (alternate)

Mr M M Mdlalose

 

 

 

 

As per ATC dated 14/05/2003

 

 

New National Party

Adv D M Bakker (alternate)

Dr B L Geldenhuys (alternate)

Mrs M E Olckers

 

 

 

As per ATC dated 14/05/2003

As per ATC dated 28/02/03 (as an alternate member)

As per ATC dated 15/05/2003 (as a full member)

 

 

 

 

 

As per ATC dated 28/03/03

 

United Democratic Movement

Prof L Mbadi (alternate)

 

 

Mr T A Abrahams

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crossed the floor per ATC Minutes of Proceedings of the House dated 1 April 2003

Crossed the floor as per Minutes of Proceedings of the House dated 1 April 2003

African Christian Democratic Party

Mr L M Green (alternate)

Ms C Dudley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom Front

None

 

 

 

United Christian Democratic Party

Mr I Mfundisi (alternate member)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania

Bishop M S Mogoba

    

Federal Alliance

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Front

None

 

 

 

 

Afrikaner Eenheidsbeweging

Mr. C Aucamp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left his party as per ATC dated 7 April 2003 to form a new Party (National Action)

Azanian People's Organisation

None

 

 

 

 

 

National Action

Mr C Aucamp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. COMPOSITION OF SUB-COMMITTEE:

Sub-Committee: Programming Committee

Convenor: Mr I Vadi

Task: To discuss the programme of the Committee for each the year.

 

Membership:

Party

Name of Member

ANC

ANC

ANC

ANC

ANC

DP

IFP

NNP

NA

Mr I Vadi

Mr L M Kgwele

Prof S S Ripinga

Ms D G Nhlengethwa

Mr S B Ntuli

Mr R S Ntuli

Mr A M Mpontshane

Mrs M E Olckers

Mr C Aucamp

 

 

  1. DELIBERATIONS, MEETING AND FACT FINDING ACTIVITIES

      1. 19/02/2003 – Briefing by the Director-General, Mr. T Mseleku on the Department’s plans for 2003

      2. 25/02/2003 – Meeting with European Union Parliamentarians to discuss educational issues in South Africa

      3. 04/03/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on Norms and Standards of funding of schools and adoption of minutes of 19/02/2003 & 25/02/2003

      4. 05/03/2003 – Debate on provincial report on visit to Mpumalanga and Free State

      5. 11/03/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on its 2001/02/Annual Report and Interrogating the Annual Estimates of Expenditure tabled by the Minister of Finance for 2003/04

      6. 18/03/2003 – Briefing by the Minister on Restructuring of the Higher Education for 2003 and adoption of minutes of 04/03/2003 & 11/03/2003

      7. 25/03/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education & Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on Child Justice Bill [B49 – 2002]

      8. 01/04/2003 – Recommendations to be forwarded to the PC on Justice and Constitutional Development on Child Justice Bill [B49 – 2002]; briefing by SACE on its annual Report and other activities

      9. 08/04/2003 – Final recommendations on Child Justice Bill [B49 – 2002] and briefing by the Department of Education on International Relations

      10. 15/04/2003 – Briefing by the Education Labour Relations Council on its activities plans and program for 2003

      11. Adoption of the minutes of 01/04/2002 and 08/04/2003

      12. Adoption of the program for next term – 2003 as agreed by the Sub-Committee on Programming on 9th April 2003

      13. 13/05/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) and ECD (Early Childhood Development) Adoption of minutes of 15/04/2003

      14. 20/05/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on the state of Further Education and Training and the role of the National Board for Further Education

      15. Adoption of minutes of 13/05/2003

      16. 27/05/2003 – Briefing by Ms Mahanjana, CEO of Education Training and Development Practices (ETPD)/SETA on issues of common concern relating to Skills Development Act and role of SETA

      17. 03/06/2003 – Presentation by SABC Education on contribution to Education in South Africa and adoption of minutes of 20/05/2003

      18. 17/06/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on religion in Education and adoption of minutes of 27/05/2003 and 03/06/2003

      19. 24/06/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on Child Abuse and adoption of minutes of 03/06/2003 and 17/06/2003

      20. 28-31/07/2003 – Provincial visit to Gauteng and Northern Cape

      21. 01/08/2003 – Visit to SACE Offices in Pretoria

      22. 05/08/2003 – Meeting with MECs of Free State and Mpumalanga to discuss provincial report published on ATC dated 13 December 2002

      23. Briefing by Department of Education o Education Laws Amendment Bill, 2003 and Higher Education Amendment Bill, 2003

      24. 06/08/2003 – Briefing by Department of Education on Education on Race and Values in Education

      25. 19/08/2003 – Informal consideration of Education Laws Amendment Bill, 2003 and Higher Education Amendment Bill, 2003

      26. Consideration of SAHRC – 4th Economic and Social Rights Report as referred as per ATC dated 09 June 2003

      27. Adoption of minutes of 24/06/2003 and 05/08/2003.

      28. 26/08/2003 – Presentation by the Ministerial Review Committee on school governance and briefing by the Department of Education on the impact of HIV/AIDS in the schools.

      29. 27/08/2003 –Informal consideration of Education Laws Amendment Bill, 2003 and Higher Education Amendment Bill, 2003

      30. 02/09/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on improvement of Mathematics and Science in schools and adoption of minutes of 26/08/2003 CANCELLED

      31. 09/09/2003 – Formal consideration of Education Laws Amendment Bill, 2003 and Higher Education Laws Amendment Bill, 2003.

      32. 16/09/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Education on school enrichment: Sports, Arts & Culture and adoption of minutes of 09/09/2003

      33. 11/11/2003 – Presentation by the CHE on its 2002/03 Annual report, activities and program of action

      34. 18/11/2003 – Discussion and adoption of Committee provincial report to Northern Cape and Gauteng

      35. 26/11/2003 – Adoption of Committee Annual Report, Adoption of provincial reports, and adoption of following minutes: 27 August, 16 September, 11 & 18 November. The following minutes are still out standing: 06, 19, and 26 August, and 09 September 2003.

5. LEGISLATION DEALT WITH:

Bill No.

Short title

Public Hearing

No of Submissions

Amendments

No of hrs spent

B36 - 2003

 

 

B38B - 2003

Education Laws

Amendment Bill

 

Higher Education

Amendment Bill

None

 

 

None

 

Requested the Department to furnish the Committee with all submissions made and those were considered at Party Study Groups

 

 

 

 

 

(None)

 

 

(None)

 

(None)

 

 

(None)

 

 

  1. REPORTS TABLED

    2. Title

    Objective/s

    Result/Outcome

    Visit to Northern Cape and Gauteng Provinces

    Farm Schools, Early Childhood Development

    Adult Basic Education and Training

    Education for Learners with Special Educational Needs

    Governance of School Governing Bodies

    Primary Nutrition Programme

     

    Adopted on 26 November 2003

     

     

  2. SUMMARY OF NUMBERS OF APPEARANCES BEFORE COMMITTEE

      1. Minister: 2

      2. Deputy Minister: 0

      3. Government Officials: 14

      4. C. E. Os of Statutory Bodies and Public Entities: 5

      5. Any others: 7

  3. CONFERENCES AND OTHER OFFCIAL BUSINESS ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE

COMMITTEE

Subject Matter

Date

Name of Member (s)

Number of Attendants

Venue

No of days spent

 

Council of Education Ministers

Council of Education Ministers

Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development

Council of Education Ministers

SADC Conf. on Gender & HIV/AIDS

Council of Education Ministers

Council of Education Ministers

Council of Education Ministers

 

 

 

24/02/2003

14 April 2003

11 – 14 May 2003

09 June 2003

07-11 July 2003

01 August 2003

22 Sep. 2003

24 Nov. 2003

 

 

 

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

Prof. S. M. Mayatula

 

 

 

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

 

 

 

Cape Town

Pretoria

Stockholm

Durban

Dar-Es-Salaam

Bloemfontein

Cape Town

Cape Town

 

1

1

4

1

4

1

1

1

9. VISITS

Narrative of purpose and outcome

National Visits

Period

Purpose of visit

e.g. Fact finding investigations

Number of Members

Number of Staff

Date Report Tabled

Costs

27 – 31 July 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01 August 2003

Objectives:

Farm Schools, Early Childhood Development

Adult Basic Education and Training

Education for Learners with Special Education Needs

Governance of School Governing Bodies

Primary Nutrition Programme

Visit to South Africa Council for Education in their Offices in Johannesburg

 

MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION: Our Statutory Bodies are invited to brief the Committee on their activities and monitor implementation of legislations

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

10. SPONSORSHIP:

Donor

Purpose

POs Approval Date

Amount

Swedish National Commissions for UNESCO

 

 

International Affairs Desk

 

Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development to be held in Stockholm

SADC Conference on Gender & HIV/AIDS in Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania

27 February 2003

 

 

 

 

+ _ R15 000

 

 

 

 

FORMAL ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE

Annual Report of the Portfolio Committee on Education having been put to the committee, was adopted by the Committee on 26th November 2003.

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