LIMPOPO LEGISLATURE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION


1. INTRODUCTION

The Further Education and Training Colleges Bill was referred to the Legislature by the National Council of Provinces. Upon receipt by the Provincial Legislature, the Bill was further referred to the Portfolio Committee on Education for consideration as per Legislative process.

2. PURPOSE OF THE BILL

To provide for the regulation of further education and training; to provide for the "establishment; governance and funding of public further education and training colleges; to provide for the employment of staff at public further education and training colleges; to provide for the registration of private further education and training colleges; to provide for the promotion of quality in further education and training; to provide for transitional arrangements and the repeal 'of laws; and to provide for matters connected

3.BRIEFING BY NCOP DELEGATES

The Permanent Delegate from the National Council of Provinces briefed Members of the Portfolio Committee on Education on the Further Education and Training Colleges Bill on 13 September 2006. After being briefed on the Bill, the Committee resolved to conduct a public hearing in Capricorn district.

4. PUBLIC HEARINGS

A provincial public hearing was conducted at Capricorn District on 22 September 2006 to provide provincial stakeholders a platform ~o express their views on the Bill. Various stakeholders including Further Education and Training Colleges and Instit1Jtions, Institutions of Higher Learning, Business and Political Organized Structures, Teacher's Unions, School Governing Bodies Association, Principals Association, Education Labour Relations Council and members of the public participated in the hearing.

5. FINDINGS
After consideration and based on the views expressed at the public hearing, the Portfolio Committee on Education wishes to raise the following concerns:

5.1 DEFINITIONS
The definition of the word "management" should also include the Heads of Departments as they are also part of management

5.2 CHAPTER 2

That the status of Colleges should be comprehensively set out, how such status will be acquired in a more responsive way;

That the accreditation processes to be conducted in line with the Minister's directives.

5.3 CHAPTER 3

That the Council which will be entrusted with authoritative powers over the Colleges, and further deemed to be guardians I custodians of pension funds should be competent and capacitated;

That the notion of the government delegating powers upon Council members as well as the production of skills which should be the responsibility of the provincial department has now been made the responsibility of the College Council. The Committee finds it unacceptable.

5.4 CHAPTER 4

That Chapter 4 needs to be thoroughly explained, hence the following emerged:

The reasons behind the insertion of this chapter and what it seeks to address;

Whether there has been any formal discussion and/or consultation with Unions in view of the fact that the rights of educators will be tempered with;

Terms and conditions of employment of educators from one institution to the other will be affected significantly, e.g. pensions, medical aid, leaves, etc. ;

What arrangements has the government made on the basis of long term within the service;

To which extent will educators be protected in-consequences of the anticipated transfers;

Management of staff in term of the three categories as proposed in the Bill (in particular certain categories of persons who were currently employed prior to the introduction of the Bill and their status);

The Committee is also concerned about what's going to happen to the temporary staff currently under the employ of training institutions; while taking into account the duration in which they have been on a temporary basis; also when will the appointments of such staff personnel be confirmed has remained a cause of concern.

5.5 CHAPTER 5

That the question of funding should be the, responsibility of the provincial department of education.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee having considered the Bill and having taken into consideration the inputs and views of the stakeholders, hereby recommends to this Honorable House to confer a mandate on our NCOP Delegates to vote in favour of-the Bill with amendments.

7. CONLUSION

In conclusion Honourable Speaker, I hereby move that this Report be adopted as the Report of this House and I move accordingly.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
HON T J NDIMANDE