By REGINALD KANYANE
31 January 2025- The Northern Cape Department of Education said it acknowledges that it has experienced a delay in the disbursement of norms and standard allocations due to budget constraints. However, the department refutes allegations that the situation escalated as a result of mismanagement of funds.
The Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe said at the beginning of the 2024/25 financial year, the department absorbed a budget reduction of R232 million and a further reduction of R60 million during the financial year. Van der Merwe said over and above, the financial impact of 2024/25 wage adjustment was not allocated funding.
“The cost of living adjustment for the 2024/25 financial year is estimated at approximately R295 million. This is in relation to the wage agreement concluded for the 2024/25 financial year at 4.7% for all government employees.
“Therefore, the total funding gap due to budget reduction and the wage bill adjustment is almost R600 million for the 2024/25 financial year. Therefore, any suggestions that the department has squandered money unnecessarily are unfounded and devoid of any truth,” he said.
According to van der Merwe, the department has always been regularly subjected to oversight by the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, to account for the Annual Performance Plan (APP) implementation progress, where they transparently account fully on spending patterns and challenges.
“We further encourage any member of the public or education stakeholder, who is in possession of any proof of mismanagement of funds, to come forward and report this matter to the department, Office of the Premier or law enforcement entities.
“Through our engagements and the support of the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Treasury, we have secured a portion of the funds, which was paid to all schools,” said van der Merwe.
He said the funds were utilised to procure stationery, additional learning and support material, services to schools, learning aid for special schools and hostel subsidies. Van der Merwe said, however, additional funds are required to pay the outstanding allocations to schools.
“Important to note with regard to the provision of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM), schools were provided with an option of procuring their textbooks either centrally or directly from suppliers.
“A total of 350 schools opted to procure their textbooks centrally, and the Department ensured 100% delivery. The other 204 schools made their own respective arrangements with suppliers,” he said.
Van der Merwe said the department is processing the payments this week to schools in terms of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). He said this will enable schools to provide a nutritious meal to learners for the rest of the first quarter.
The Guardian 