PORTFOLIO
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
CHAIRPERSON:
PROF. SHEPERD MALUSI MAYATULA
ANNUAL REPORT:
JANUARY to NOVEMBER 2005
1.
Secretariat Support to the Committee
1.1 Committee Secretary : Mr Steve Morometsi
1.2 Committee Assistant : Ms Nthabiseng Mohlomi
1.3 Secretary to Chairperson :
Ms
Zuraynah Van der Meulen
1.4
Control Committee Secretary : Mr Tenda Madima
1.5
Researcher (Research Unit) : Mr Wela Manona
2. Chairpersons
overview
Some of the milestones of the activities of this
Committee were:
For the first time, since the
democratic dispensation, towards the end of the year under review, the link
between the Committee and the provincial Departments, through the sitting of
the Chairperson in the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) was discontinued.
This has created a big knowledge gap, as the Committee is not aware of
developments in the provinces. The only source of information is the media.
3. Core Objectives
The
objectives of the Portfolio Committee on Education are to:
4.1 Council
on 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 functioning arrangements, language policy and
the appropriated shape and education systems. It also holds executive
responsibility for quality assurance through its permanent sub-committee, the
Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).
4.2 Higher
Education Quality Committee (HEQC)
This Sub-Committee of Council on Higher Education has the
mandate to promote quality assurance in Higher Education, audit the quality
assurance of Higher Education Institutions and accredit programmes of Higher
Education.
4.3 South
African Council for Educators (SACE)
This Council was established in terms of the South African
Council for Educators Act, No. 31 of 2000. It is responsible for the
registration, promotion and professional development of educators, and for
setting, maintaining and protecting the ethical and professional standards of
educators.
4.4 Education,
Labour Relations Council (ELRC)
This Council is a bargaining council for education sector
and it was established in terms of the Labour Relations Act, No. 66 of 1995 as
amended by the Labour Relations Amendment Act, No. 42 of 1996. 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.
4.5 National
Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme was established
in terms of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act, No. 56 of 1999. It
is responsible for allocating loans and bursaries to eligible students,
developing criteria and conditions for the granting of loans and bursaries to
students in consultation with the Minister of Education, raising funds,
recovering loans, maintaining and analysing a database and undertaking research
for the better utilisation of financial resources. The main role is to provide
access to Higher Education for economically needy but academically able South
Africans.
4.6 South
African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
SAQA is a statutory body established in terms of the South
African Qualifications Act, No. 58 of 1995. Its main functions are to oversee
the development and implementation of the National Qualification Framework, 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 for monitoring and auditing achievements in
terms of such standards and qualifications. To oversee the implementation of
the National Qualification Framework 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
focus on ensuring access, quality, redress and development for all learners
through an Integrated National Framework of learning achievements. It must also
take steps to ensure that provisions for accreditation are complied with and
where appropriate, that registered standards and qualifications are
internationally comparable.
4.7 National
Board for Education and Training
The National Board for Education and Trainings
task is to advise the Minister of Education on matters related to Further
Education and Training.
4.8 UMALUSI
(General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Council)
Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in
General and Further Education and Training was established under the General
and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, No. 58 of 2001. It
replaced the former South African Certification Council in April 2002. This
Council is mandated to monitor the quality assurance of providers, quality
assurance of qualifications and learning programmes, quality assurance of
assessment and reporting on quality in education and training.
5. Legislation, International Agreements and
other Papers
5.1 Legislation
dealt with:
The legislation on Education Laws Amendment Bill
[B23-2005] was referred to the Committee on 1 August 2005. The Committee
received briefings from the Department on the Bill on 5 August 2005.
On 23 August 2005, the Committee held a Joint
meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Education and Portfolio Committee on
Sport & Recreation on the Memorandum of Understanding between the two
departments on school sports. Invitations were extended to Provincial
Chairpersons of Sport, Arts and Culture. The Committee arranged for public
hearings on 30 August 2005 on the Education Laws Amendment Bill [B23-2005] that
seeks to amend the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators
Act. Invitations were extended to the stakeholders through three newspapers namely,
City Press, Sunday Times and Rapport to solicit inputs. On 6 September 2005,
the Committee considered informal deliberations on the Education Laws Amendment
Bill by Parties. Formal deliberations and inputs were considered on 13
September 2005. The Committee reported on the Bill on 13 September 2005, with
amendments. The Bill was debated in the House on the 14 October 2005.
Institutions that made presentations:
·
Federation of
Governing Bodies of South African Schools
·
National
Professional Teachers Organisation of
·
South African
Democratic Teachers
·
Federasie van
Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniging
·
Affinity
Educational Consultants
·
Governing Body
Foundation
·
Institution for
Health and Development Communication (
·
Principal of
·
National
Association of School Governing Bodies
·
Governors
·
South African
Foundation for Education and Training.
·
Dr. A Motsoaledi,
MEC for Education,
Number of submissions received: 12
Received two written submissions: (organisations
did not appear before Committee)
·
Centre for Education
Policy and Development
·
Human Rights Commission
made written submissions but did not appear before the Committee.
5.2
Number of meetings held and those
cancelled
The Committee conducted 25 meetings varying from
briefings made by the Department and Public Entities. Hearings were conducted
on the Education Laws Amendment Bill.
6. Oversights
and Promotion of Public Participation
6.1
Oversight Visits:
|
Date |
Place visited |
Purpose |
Date of Report |
|
25
February |
|
To intervene in the concerns raised by former |
Report not completed and was deferred to following
year. |
|
14-19
August |
Further Education and FET Colleges) |
To assess the readiness of Further Education &
Training Colleges looking at; governance, access, bursaries, residences,
appointment of Chief Executive Officers etc. |
Reported not completed and was deferred to following
year. |
|
14 October |
JL Zwane Centre & Siyaya Musical project, Guguletu, |
Invitation
JL Zwane Centre, Guguletu, Siyaya HIV/AIDS Musical Project |
Report to be deferred to following year. |
|
15-23 October |
Study tour to |
To consult with Ministers of Education and Sports
around broad goals and education policies. Visit schools, and assessed, fee
structures, funding, access to schools etc. Visit universities and assessed
access to university, funding, bursaries, etc. To consult with Ministers of Education and Sports
around broad goals and education policies. Visit schools, and assessed, fee
structures, funding, access to schools etc. Visit universities and assessed
access to university, funding, bursaries, etc. |
Reported not completed and was deferred to following
year. |
6.1.1 Delegation to local visits:
q
UFS: Prof SM
Mayatula (ANC), Ms Lorna Maloney (ANC), Mr. B Mthembu (ANC), Mr. GG Boinamo
(ANC), Mr. AM Mpontshane (IFP) Mr. BG Mosala (joined the delegation) and Mr.
Steve Morometsi (Committee Secretary).
q
FET Colleges (1)
Prof SM Mayatula (ANC), Ms PR Mashangoane (ANC), Ms DG Nhlengethwa (ANC), Mr.
JJ Maake (ANC) replacing Mr. LW Greyling (ID), Mr. AM Mpontshane (IFP) and Steve
Morometsi (Committee Secretary).
q
FET Colleges (2)
Mr. B Mthembu (ANC), Ms NJ Ngele (ANC), Adv. AH Gaum (then NNP), Mr. GG Boinamo
(DA) and Tenda Madima (Control Committee Secretary)
Provinces visited:
Report:
report ready (Limpopo and
q JL Zwane
Centre, Gugulethu: Prof. S. M. Mayatula (ANC) and Ms. J. Matsomela (ANC).
6.1.2 Delegation to International visits
q
Prof SM Mayatula
(ANC), Ms PR Mashangoane (ANC), Mr. B Mthembu (ANC), Mr. GG Boinamo (DA), Mr.
AM Mpontshane (IFP) and Mr. Steve Morometsi (Committee Secretary).
6.2
Oversight Briefings:
The Committee called the following
institutions to appear before it, as part of oversight over the institutions:
|
Date |
Institution |
Purpose of
Briefing/Presentation |
|
08 February |
Department of Education |
On the
Matric Results 2004 with special reference to |
|
15 February |
Department of Education |
Briefing
on the infrastructure development on learners learning under trees, dangerous
and dilapidated buildings. |
|
2 February |
Department of Education |
Briefing
by the Department on its Strategic Plan 2005-2009. |
|
01 March |
Department of Education |
Briefing
on National School Nutrition programme and Draft Policy on School Uniform. |
|
08 March |
National Student Financial Aid |
Briefing on the NSFAS Scheme Review. |
|
15 March |
Department of Education |
On Estimates of National Expenditure, Vote, 15,
2005/06 |
|
05 April |
Department of Education |
Briefing on the National Guidelines on School
Uniform. |
|
12 April |
Mr Cassiem Farouk, a former MP |
Briefing on the use of Java Applets and Flash Programmes in teaching
Mathematics, Science and other subjects. |
|
31 May |
Nelson Mandela Foundation |
Briefinn a Report
on Education in S.A. Rural Communities focusing on research conducted by HSRC
in Kwazulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces. |
|
07 June |
CHE and HEQC |
On recent National Review and re-accreditation of
MBA programmes and its forthcoming review and re-accreditation of Select
Teacher Education programmes. |
|
14 June |
Department of Education |
On a report by the Ministerial Committee on Rural
Education. |
|
21 June |
Department of Education |
On the re-vitalization of Further Education and |
|
11 October |
Umalusi, CHE and SAQA |
Hearings on Annual Reports 2004/05 (Reports adopted
on 8 November) |
|
12 October |
SACE, NSFAS & ELRC |
Hearings on Annual Reports 2004/05(Reports adopted
on 8 November) |
|
25 October |
Department of Education |
Hearings on Annual Report 2004/05 (Report adopted on
15 November) |
|
1 November |
Department of Education |
On the Norms and Standards for public school funding. |
7.
Papers
(International Agreements, Protocols, Reports etc) referred to the Committee:
indicate the following:
Papers referred: (Check content of referrals with Steve)
|
Name |
Date referred |
ATC page |
Action by committee
|
|
Report
and Financial Statements of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for
2004-2005, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements for 2004-2005 |
4
August |
|
Presentation
made by NQF on 11 October. |
|
Report
and Financial Statements of Umalusi for 2004-2005, including the Report of
the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2004-2005 |
26 August |
|
Considered
by the Committee on 11 October. Resolved that the report will not be debated
in the House. |
|
Report
and Financial Statements of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
for 2004-2005, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements for 2004-2005 |
05 September |
|
Considered
by the Committee on 12 October. Resolved that the report will not be debated
in the House. |
|
Report
and Financial Statements of the Council for Higher Education (CHE) for
2004-2005, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements for 2004-2005 |
07 September |
|
Considered
by the Committee on 12 October. Resolved that the report will not be debated
in the House. |
|
Report
and Financial Statements of the South African Council of Educators (SACE) for
2004-2005, including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial
Statements for 2004-2005 |
22
September |
|
Considered
by the Committee on 11 October. Resolved that the report will not be debated
in the House. |
|
Report
and Financial Statements of the Local Government, Water and Related Sector
Education and Training Authority (NSFAS) for 2004-2005, including the Report
of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for 2004-2005 Annual
report 2004/05 of NSFAS |
22
September |
|
Considered
by the Committee on 12 October. Resolved that the report will not be debated
in the House. |
|
Report
and Financial Statements of the Department of Education (DoE) for 2004-2005,
including the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for
2004-2005 |
25
October |
|
Considered
by the Committee on 15 November. |
The Annual report of ELRC was tabled late on 11
November 2005.
8. Budget Vote
The budget vote 17 was referred to the Committee
on 22 October 2005. The Committee arranged for briefings by the Department on
15 March 2005. There were no public hearings arranged and the no report was
published.
9.
Other committee activities:
9.1 Workshops
On 10 October 2005, the Chairperson
attended a workshop on how to use annual reports as a monitoring tool.
9.2 Other Committee
activities
On 23 June 2005, the Portfolio Committee met
held an informal meeting with the Youth, Pioneers of the Vietnamese National
Assembly, at the New Wing Restaurant. The purpose was to share knowledge and
experiences on the role of the Committee in conducting oversight and monitoring
over the Executive.
On 1 November 2005, the Committee hosted 6 UK
Parliamentarians, namely, Ms Ann Keen, MP (LP) leader of delegation, Mr.
Jeffrey Donaldson, MP, MPL (DUP), Mr. Tobias Ellwood, MP, (CP), Lord Hughes of
Woodside, MP, (LP), Ms Helen Southworth, MP (LP), Ms A Watkinson, MP (CP).
9.3
Council on Education Ministers attendance
by the Committee Chairperson:
In February 2005, Prof S M Mayatula attended a
special Council on Education Ministers meeting in Cape Town.
On 22 March 2005, Prof S M Mayatula attended a
special Council on Education Ministers meeting in Pretoria.
On 23 March 2005,Prof S M Mayatula was invited
by the Minister of Education Hon. Mrs Naledi Pandor, to the most improved
school awards 2004, at the Presidential Guesthouse, in Pretoria
On 18 April 2005, Prof S M Mayatula attended a
special meeting of the Council on Education Ministers (CEM) in Pretoria.
On 5 June 2005, The Chairperson attended a
special Council on Education Ministers meeting. In addition on the same day, he
was invited by the Minister of Education Hon. Mrs Naledi Pandor to attend the
Grand Opening of the Education Nutrition Centre at 14:30 at Bonareng Primary
School in Attridgeville, Pretoria.
On 1 August 2005, Prof Mayatula attended a
Council on Education Ministers meeting in Pretoria.
On 19 September 2005, the Minister of Education
invited the Chairperson, Hon. Mrs Naledi Pandor to accompany the Minister to
Robben Island.
10.Local Conferences
On 30-31 May, a Multi-party Delegation of five
Members of the Committee attended a National Consultative Conference on
Education. The focus of the conference was on Deepening the Education Policy
Dialogue. Various stakeholders presented it. There were no resolutions taken.
Delegates: Prof SM Mayatula (ANC), Ms PR
Mashangoane (ANC), Ms DG Nhlengethwa (ANC), Mr. GG Boinamo (DA) and
Mr. AM Mpontshane (IFP)
10.1 Conferences: SADC Sub-Region (FAPED)
Two Members of the Committee, Messrs, B Mthembu
(ANC) and GG Boinamo (DA) attended a follow-up Forum of African
Parliamentarians for Education (FAPED) in Livingstone, Zambia on the 29-30
August 2005.
Agenda: Taking stock of the progress made
towards Education for All goals after a third of mileage to 2015.
SADC Countries present at the conference Angola,
Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Resolutions: The conference observed that South
Africa had made progress in the area of Early Childhood Development.
Date of the adoption of the report: to be adopted next in 2006.
11. Financial Statements
·
Budget Allocated to
Committee: R730, 556.00
Expenditure
Catering: R
2,242.30
Provincial Visits: R
58,099.00
Overseas Trips: R358,
067.50
Conferences
Seminars, Workshops
Public Hearings: R
37,483.20
·
Credit to Consolidated Fund: R181, 559.10
·
Transfers to Staff Travel R 27,535.00
12. Outstanding Matters:
12.1 Annual Report of the Committee
12.2 Minutes 1, 8, 15 November 2005
12.3 Report on the visit to SADC Sub-Region
of Forum on Parliamentarians on Education.
12.4 Oversight visit to University of Free
State, February 2005
12.4 Oversight visit to FET Colleges,
August 2005
12.5 Study Tour to Ghana and Mali, October
2005
13. Attach the following documents
i.
Master attendance list
ii.
Copies of minutes of all meetings
iii.
Copies of the reports of all
oversight\international visits (outstanding)
iv.
Copy of Budget statement
14.1
Support from the Secretary to Chairperson:
14.2
Support from the Committee Secretary:
The lack of
performance and inability to produce committee reports on time made it
impossible for the Committee to finalise and publish its reports referred in point
12 above.
14.3
Support from the Committee Assistant:
____________________________________________________
COMMITTEE
SECRETARY DATE
CONTROL COMMITTEE
SECRETARY DATE
COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON DATE