Problems are piling up in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education as they are still collecting money to pay schools their fees next month.
The Minister of the Ministry, Mr. Sipho Hlomuka, said that they will go to the Ministry of the Treasury to give them the money to pay the schools the money for Norms and Standards.
“We are going to the Treasury to urge him to give us money in advance so that we can pay the schools their money. The schools must receive this money in May, and we are facing challenges in terms of money,” said Hlomuka while speaking at the meeting of the Education Committee in the Legislative Assembly.
This department is always facing challenges in paying the Norms and Standards money on time. This problem, which has become commonplace, caused a stir as the unions demanded money and complained that it was not working in the schools because it was not submitted on time.
It is not only the Norms and Standards challenge facing the department, but it also includes the issue of not being able to pay on time to the contractors you work with. Members of the Legislature complained about the poor state of education in the state.
It was also discussed about the challenges facing the student transportation program as the number of students being transported will be reduced by 44,000 as there are currently 76,000 being transported in the province. This just happened out of 100,000 who are still waiting to benefit from this program.
Ms Fikile Masiko of the ANC, lamented that this situation is like a financial crisis facing the department.
“It is important that the Minister, if there are problems, put them on the committee’s table. We must support the ministry’s proposal that the Prime Minister help, bring together different agencies to find a solution to the ministry’s problem.”
He said that the state of the department is sad because it clearly shows that there is a child who will not be able to get his qualifications at school.
Dr Imran Keeka of the DA, complained about the state of the department and said that it looks like this department will sink the whole province if this situation is not corrected.
He complained that there is no money in the province and said that the department should look at its plans as to where it will get the money from.
Mr. Nathi Ngcobo, the head of the department, said that discussions have started between the Treasury and the Prime Minister’s office to discuss when it comes to the national government regarding money and the situation facing the department. This is happening as the High Court in Pietermaritzburg ordered the department to come up with a plan that will show how it will pay school fees as well as the issue regarding the purchase of books in schools.