The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal has been rescued with R2 billion so that it can pay for school needs, known as Norms and Standards. This money was released by the Department of Treasury in the province, to help students and schools.
The Minister of the Treasury, Mr. Francois Rodgers, said they did this because it is important that the Ministry of Education be able to meet important needs. He said this money will go to all schools in the province.
“This step indicates that we are determined not to disrupt the delivery of important needs to students in education. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, we ensure that schools are supported financially for the benefit of students,” he said.
The money was apparently approved for release on Tuesday, this week.
“It is issued so that schools are not disturbed even though the financial situation of the province is not very good. We are determined to ensure that there is financial stability in the province to protect education as well as students.”
It just so happens that the education department is facing the problem of not being able to pay the Norms and Standards money on time. This money is used to repair small things in schools, pay for electricity and water and buy other resources such as books and stationery, for schools that buy these resources.
The department is unable to pay contractors on time due to insufficient funds. A large portion of the department’s budget goes to staff salaries. Recently, the Treasury has mandated a person to look after the funds in education. He did this because he was concerned about financial management in the department as he could not pay things on time.
Education officials are always complaining about budget cuts that make you suffer. The deprivation of the power of the academics will turn them into idols as all decisions affecting the operation of the money, must first go through the representative of the Treasury so that we can approve what needs to be done.
Educationists recently accused Rodgers of taking decisions not approved by the Cabinet regarding the education department.