The government is strongly committed to implementing the no-fee school policy in 2006, Minister of Education Naledi Pandor said on Monday.
”This is confirmed by the fact that KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have already proceeded to identify schools that will be declared no-fee schools as agreed by the Council of Education Ministers in 2005,” Pandor said. ”Ensuring access to education for all in our country remains a priority.”
Rejecting any suggestion that the Education Laws Amendment Bill will not become law this year, she said it has already been passed by both Houses of Parliament and is awaiting only the assent of President Thabo Mbeki.
Pandor said the Council for Education Ministers was aware early last year that the legislation would not be enacted before September 30 2005.
It had been agreed that the provincial ministers and provinces would determine an initial list of no-fee schools and begin implementation in 2006.
”The national department is working with provincial departments to ensure implementation of this policy.
”Further, the minister of finance has indicated that one of the priorities to be addressed in the 2006/07 budget is provision for no-fee schools,” said Pandor. — Sapa