DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Department of Education

Submission on Division of Revenue: 2008/09


Areas Addressed in the Presentation

National School Nutrition Programme

Financing of School Infrastructure and Education Outcomes

Financing of Learner Support Material and No-Fee School Policy

Fiscal Implications of the Redemarcation of Provincial Boundaries

Budget Analysis: Spending Performance of Provincial Departments

Comments on Division of Revenue: Review of Equitable Share Framework


National School Nutrition Programme FFC Recommendations

All PEDs to adopt NSNP as their full responsibility o

Full coverage of primary school learners

Improve programme implementation through increased personnel numbers and skill levels

Implementation in no-fee schools

Development of National norms o Improved quality of information

Supplementation of conditional grant through provincial equitable share allocations

Improvements in procurement procedure o Improvements in equipment and facilities

Improve monitoring and evaluation capacity o Increase number of feeding days

Increase per learner per day feeding amount


National School Nutrition Programme Comments (1)

During the Annual Review of conditional grants for 2006/07 the areas raised by FFC were also identified as concerns

From National level there is improved monitoring and evaluation

Provincial specific circumstances and challenges exist

Partly addressing concerns through a request for increased funding through 2008 MTEF input (next slide provides detail)

PEDs have adopted responsibility for the programme, although funding remains through the conditional grant route

Some areas raised involve more clients than only Education and is difficult to coordinate (such as procurement processes)

National School Nutrition Programme Comments (2)

Bid for increased funding in 2008 MTEF

The following areas are addressed:

15% Average increase of feeding cost per learner

Expand coverage to all no-fee schools (primary and secondary)

Increase mandated number of feeding days to cover all school days

Proposal provides for immediate implementation of increased cost for meals (from R1 ,53 to R1 ,84)

Immediate increase in number of feeding days from the current mandated 154 days to 198 days

Proposed immediate expansion to cover all no-fee primary schools (2 434 schools/approximately 2,4 million learners)

Proposed phased in coverage of no-fee secondary schools over a three year period due to high cost implications and to ensure successful implementation (4252 schools/approximately 1,5 million learners)


National School Nutrition Programme Comments (3)





Summary of Increased Financial Implications for 2008 MTEF

Area of Bid for Increased Allocation	2008/09	2009/10	2010/11
	R'OOO
Extension to 198 days at increased average cost (R 1.84) per learner per day	634 265	662806	692 633
Expansion to all no fee schools (primary and secondary)	445 034	583 128	751 626
Total	1 079299	1 245 934	1 444 259

Financing of School Infrastructure and Education Outcomes FFC Recommendations

Conditions of PIG targeting educational infrastructure should specify requirements for provinces: Funds to be used to support areas of need and where school outcomes could most likely be improved

Effective coordination of planning for various provincial and municipal infrastructure grants to ensure optimal outcomes from school infrastructure investment


Financing of School Infrastructure and Education Outcomes Comments (1)

The impact of infrastructure inputs on school outputs:

The conclusion of the FFC that "infrastructure appears to matter is noted (for education outputs and quality) but its impact may not be very large"

Better data is required to estimate this impact in SA Context and will be available through the update of the School Register of Needs which is now nearing completion

The human rights and equity arguments for improving school infrastructure

This is one of the prime motivators for improving information, policy and implementation with regard to school infrastructure

The DoE has strongly championed and implemented pro-poor funding of education inputs and the FFC recommendations on infrastructure will be incorporated in policy development and review


Financing of School Infrastructure and Education Outcomes Comments (2)

Effective coordination of planning for various infrastructure grants to ensure optimal outcomes from school infrastructure investment supported

The continuing inequality in infrastructure between provinces and localities, with little evidence of a narrowing of gaps is supported

The update of the SRN is based on standardised, objective assessments based on school visits by independent assessors.

It will provide a much better base for planning and budgeting

Greater clarity on the conditions for the PIG and improved targeting is also supported

The Department supports the plea for improved coordination and this area and will address it in policy development and implementation


Financing of Learner Support Material FFC Recommendations

L TSM should be defined clearly

A separate budget for L TSM to improve monitoring and identify problems

A separate budget for maintenance, repairs and equipment


Financing of Learner Support Material Comments

LTSM is defined as textbooks and stationery for learners as well as teaching material for teachers including teaching guides, boards and chalk

Provincial budget statements separately specify the provision for LTSM

PEDs are required to report to the Department on the spending of LTSM

Provincial budgets specify the provision for maintenance, repairs and equipment separately

Provisions in Section 21 schools are excluded



No-Fee School Policy FFC Recommendations

Provincial Equitable Share should reflect socio economic profiles of learners with particular reference to the impact of income inequality and poverty

Norms and Standards that indicate the level of knowledge and skills that learners are expected to acquire at various ages and stages within the schooling system

No-Fee School Policy Comments

The Department notes and supports the recommendations made by the FFC

Fiscal Implications of the Redemarcation of Provincial Boundaries FFC Recommendations
Both the Provincial Equitable Share and the Local Government Equitable Share should be revised to take changes into account

Additional costs faced by provinces and municipalities that cannot be met through revised Equitable Share allocations should be funded through once-off allocation from National Government

Changes to boundaries should be aligned with the financial year system in Government


Fiscal Implications of the Redemarcation of Provincial Boundaries Comments

Comments by FFC are noted and supported

Redemarcation has in practice negatively impacted on budgets of some affected PEDs

Improved process required to determine the amounts to be shifted with functions - official requests coordinated by National Treasury would be more effective than to allow inter-provincial agreements on the shifting of funds

Equitable share to be influenced more strongly by poverty index



Budget Analysis: Spending Performance of Provincial Departments FFC Recommendations

For desirability of stable and predictable allocations aim should be 7 –year budget allocations rather than a 3-year cycle

Policy prioritisation should be supported by higher than average annual budget growth rates

Further institutionalisation of best practice project planning and budgeting methods should be encouraged

Departmental service delivery programmes should be defined by and reported on according to:

actual and targeted beneficiaries

personnel and budget by occupational skills level

current items and capital assets utilised in service delivery

Standardised method across Government departments to measure socio economic impact of capital and current spending


Budget Analysis: Spending Performance of Provincial Departments Comments

Comments by FFC are noted and supported

Uniform budget programme structure for the Education sector

Annually agreed sector priorities for the new MTEF period

Agreed performance indicators for the sector

National Budget Monitoring and Support Office established

Monthly reporting to the Minister of Education

Education Sector 2007 MTEF Allocations

Education	2006/07 R'OOO	2007/08 R'OOO	2008/09 R'OOO	2009/10 R'OOO
Department of Education (National)	14 129 233	16000923	18 226 271	19400945
Provincial Education Departments	79 050 799	88718713	98505413	107 327 196
TOTAL	93179032	104 719636	116731 684	126 728141

Education Sector 2008 MTEF Priorities

Sector Priorities:

Infrastructure and Non-Personnel Non-Capital resourcing of Public Ordinary Schools

Inclusive Education and Special Schools

Universal Grade R

Personnel for Public Ordinary School Education

Sector Priorities approved by Minister of Education and CEM

Considered and discussed at Education/Treasury 1 OX1 0 meeting

MTEC Sector Meeting scheduled for 19 September 2007


Department of Education 2008 MTEF Priorities

Request for Additional Funding	2007/08 R'OOO	2008/09 R'OOO	2009/10 R'OOO
FET Colleges Connectivity National procurement of Grade 10 textbooks to support NCS National School Nutrition Programme Increased subsidisation of public entities	108 000 210 000 1 079 299 26 000	186 000 245 000 1 245 934 27 320	46 000 267 400 1 444 259 28 549
TOTAL	1 423 299	1 704 254	1 786 208