The Department of Education and Sport Development received the largest chunk of Bokone Bophirima’s provincial 2018/2019 budget. MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development (FEED), Wendy Nelson, tabled the budget on Thursday before the North West Provincial Legislature.

R16.183 billion – which translates to 39% of the total provincial budget – was allocated to the department for the financial year starting on 1 April.
The budget allocation is the clearest sign that education remains a key priority for the provincial government to use as an instrument to develop future generations and improve their lives.

MEC Nelson said education would continue to receive the largest portion of the budget in the province.
“The Department of Education and Sport Development has received the largest portion of the budget and it will continue to receive the largest portion of the budget. This is because it is an investment into our future and investment into our children. The budget will cover running of operations, grants and infrastructure. To address the backlog in infrastructure, R1billion has been allocated to improve the conditions in which our learners are studying under. Schools will also be consolidated so that we do not have many schools servicing the same grades in one area,” she said.

Education and Sport Development MEC, Sello Lehari, said the department deserves the biggest budget because it has got the largest number of employees.

“We welcome the announcement and we will use the money wisely. It is important to remember that we have the largest department and we are tasked with a huge responsibility of educating the nation,” Lehari said.

The Department of Health received the second largest portion of the Provincial Budget at R11.154 billion for 2018/19, R11.934 billion and R12.884 billion in 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years respectively.

The 2018/19 allocation includes the funding of R1.315 billion for the comprehensive HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) Grant of which R167.729 million is allocated to a new component of the Community Outreach Services Grant. National Tertiary Services Grant is allocated R283.055 million and Health Facility Revitalisation Grant is allocated R585.886 million.

In line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the budget allocation is expected to strengthen the effectiveness of the health system by increasing life expectancy and thereby decreasing mortality rates.

“We strive to equip our medical institutions across the province to reduce shortages of medicines and medical supplies. To this end, an amount of R3.047 billion has been allocated over the 2018 MTEF with R1.350 billion allocated in 2018/19 Financial Year,” said Nelson.

The allocation for the Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) amounted to R1.440 billion for 2018/19, increasing to R1.531 billion in 2019/20 and R1.645 billion in 2020/21 financial year.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA) was been allocated a budget of R732.049 million for the 2018/19 financial year, increasing to R812.245 million in the outer year of the MTEF period. This allocation will amongst others, assist this department to preserve the rich history of this province and by so doing creating the tourism market.

MEC Nelson said community and road safety remains one of the provincial government’s paramount priorities.

“The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management receives an allocation of R6.815 billion over the MTEF period. An amount of R2.163 billion is allocated for 2018/19, R2.263 billion for 2019/20 and R2.388 billion for 2020/21,” she said.

The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements was allocated R7.767 billion over the MTEF, largely funded by the Human Settlement Development Grant. An amount of R2.477 billion is allocated for 2018/19, growing to R2.570 billion in 2019/20 and R2.719 billion in 2020/21.

“In pursuit of the province’s Five Concretes, this department’s allocation will contribute to the Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal of Bokone Bophirima through the provision of houses. The allocation will also improve access to basic services such as water and sanitation,” said Nelson.

The Department of Public Works and Roads received R3.021 billion in 2018/19 increasing to R3.326 billion in 2020/21 financial year. Of this allocation, an amount of R960.604 million is earmarked as a conditional grant for provincial road maintenance.

Departmental budget announcements will follow soon after this provincial budget announcement.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za