Andy Duffy
Government’s drive to transform education is going off the rails in the provinces.
Provincial audit reports show many provinces don’t know many teachers they employ, and lack the money, the will or the expertise to implement new education policies.
The report represents a further blow to Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu’s transformation initiatives. Not only are some provinces’ education programmes hampered by political tension, but Northern Province school principals face the additional hazard of being accused of witchcraft.
Bengu has scaled back the introduction next year of the new curriculum – Curriculum 2005 – amid fears about the provinces’ ability to fund and manage the programme.
The report, released last week, was compiled by a 15-member audit team led by the Director General of the Public Service and Administration Department, Dr Paseka Ncholo, who visited the provinces between last October and May.
Their findings vindicate Bengu’s caution in implementing the new curriculum. With few exceptions, the reports show provincial education is frequently beset by incompetence, confusion and political intrigue. Six provinces stand out.
The report outlines “serious tensions between the administrators and politicians” which threatens education in the Free State. “There is a serious communications gap between the MEC [Mxolisi Dukwana since July 1996, when Sakiwo Belot went up to the national assembly] and the head of department [Dr Ben Khoali].”
Though accurate figures on teachers employed were not available, the province expected to spend R1,1-billion on personnel this year – R10-million more than its total budget.
Department officials told the investigating team that they only had sufficient funds to