From:
FF
Plus
To
Secretary
The
Portfolio Committee on Education (National
Assembly)
Parliament
Dear
Ms Phumza Mpoyiya,
Re:
Further Education and Training Colleges Bill (B23-2006)
1.
With reference to the invitation to comment on the above-mentioned Bill, the FF
Plus, without committing ourselves to agreeing with the rest of the Bill,
requests that the Portfolio Committee reconsiders whether a member of the
Executive Committee ought to receive power of attorney to declare “any
institution that provides further education and training” as a public college
(clause 4(1)).
1.
If that would mean that existing
colleges (such as agricultural colleges) were to lose their current status, we
will not support it.
2.
There is great uncertainty amongst personnel of existing training colleges
regarding the consequences of the Bill for them on a personal level. They are
concerned about issues such as the transfer of service contracts, pensions,
etc.
3.
It is alleged that the Bill was never negotiated with the education trade unions
and that they were only contacted after the publication of the eighth draft.
4.
The FF Plus is of the opinion that further urgent meetings should be held with
stakeholders to reach consensus on points of difference.
5.
The impression is created that the Provincial Legislature is expected to
expedite the passing of this Bill at all costs. Public hearings had to be completed
quickly during the recess, without the public being given enough time to make
inputs. This may have serious legal ramifications.
Thank
you for your attention.
Yours
sincerely,
A. Gerber (MPL
Spokesperson
Education FF Plus