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The Department of Education in the Northern Cape has dismissed the allegations of mismanagement of funds. This follows complaints from parents who conveyed dissatisfaction pertaining to school requirements that they must purchase school materials as there won’t be provisions. According to provision of section 21 norms and standard, schools were allocated 27% for learning and support materials. “The situation the department fount itself was not as a result of the mismanagement of funds and was also not Northern Cape specific. 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,” said the department. Adding, “The Department has always been regularly subjected to oversight by the Legislature Portfolio Committee on Education, to account for the Annual Performance Plan implementation progress, where we transparently account fully on spending patterns and challenges”. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said that they were able to secure a share of the money, which were distributed to all schools with the assistance of the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Treasury. The money were used to purchase educational resources, special learning aids, and hostel subsidies. The department said there are outstanding schools that are yet to receive their materials, however, “more money is needed”. Regarding the availability of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM), the department said that the public should be aware that schools have the choice of obtaining their textbooks directly from vendors or centrally. “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,” said the stetement. Geoffrey Van Der Merwe, department spokesperson said they were processing the payments this week to schools in terms of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). “This will enable schools to provide a nutritious meal to learners for the rest of the first quarter,” said Van Der Merwe. Adding, “The situation we find ourselves in is unfortunate and not in any way due to the mismanagement of funds or fruitless expenditure”. The Department committed to working with the government to resolve fiscal challenges. |
