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IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gwarube reveals plans to tackle Eastern Cape infrastructure crisis
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department was taking measures to address weaknesses identified that caused infrastructure crisis in the Eastern Cape. Image: Supplied BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the mismanagement was not the only factor responsible for the overall infrastructure crisis in Eastern Cape schools. She cited persistent backlogs inherited from the pre-1994 era, ongoing budget constraints and competing service delivery priorities, contractor underperformance and project implementation delays, adverse weather conditions affecting construction timelines, and disruptions by local business forums and community protests at school sites. She disclosed this when responding to MK Party MP Nompumelelo Gasa, who noted with concern that the Cape's schools remained the worst in the country regarding billions of rand allocated to schools. Gasa asked Gwarube whether, in an effort to uncover whether corruption or incompetence was to blame, her department will commission an independent forensic audit of all infrastructure grants and Equitable Share spending there. Gwarube dismissed calls for an independent forensic audit, saying her department was taking measures to address weaknesses that caused an infrastructure crisis in the province. 'There are currently no plans by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to commission an independent forensic audit of the Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) or Equitable Share spending in the Eastern Cape for the period since 1 January 2019. 'However, the DBE maintains infrastructure planning and performance information through the Infrastructure Reporting Model and the Education Facilities Management System (EFMS),' she said. Gwarube said the systems contained annual allocations and expenditure performance per infrastructure funding stream, a record of contractors awarded infrastructure projects, and estimated and actual completion rates, including, where applicable, reasons for delays and underperformance. 'This information is available to relevant oversight bodies upon request and is used routinely by the DBE to monitor progress and flag systemic issues.' She said her department was rolling out a sector-wide 10-point infrastructure strategy designed to accelerate infrastructure delivery and strengthen accountability. "As part of efforts to improve service delivery and financial management at a provincial level, the Minister of Basic Education recently requested all MECs and heads of provincial Education Departments to submit urgent written feedback on service delivery failures and personnel irregularities across provinces.' She also said she has launched a coordinated response to restore financial discipline and protect core education services. The national department wants all provinces to submit credible financial recovery plans ahead of the Council of Education Ministers meeting scheduled for July 21.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Gwarube dismisses calls for audit on Eastern Cape education spending
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department was taking measures to address weaknesses identified that caused infrastructure crisis in the Eastern Cape. Image: Supplied Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has dismissed calls for an independent forensic audit into the Eastern Cape Education Department's expenditure of infrastructure funds. Instead, Gwarube said her department was taking measures to address weaknesses identified that caused infrastructure crisis in the province. 'There are currently no plans by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to commission an independent forensic audit of the Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) or Equitable Share spending in the Eastern Cape for the period since 1 January 2019. 'However, the DBE maintains infrastructure planning and performance information through the Infrastructure Reporting Model and the Education Facilities Management System (EFMS),' she said. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Gwarube said the systems contained annual allocations and expenditure performance per infrastructure funding stream, a record of contractors awarded infrastructure projects, and estimated and actual completion rates, including, where applicable, reasons for delays and underperformance. 'This information is available to relevant oversight bodies upon request and is used routinely by the DBE to monitor progress and flag systemic issues.' Gwarube was responding to MK Party MP Nompumelelo Gasa, who noted with concern that the Cape's schools remained the worst in the country regarding billions of rand allocated to schools. Gasa asked the minister whether, in an effort to uncover whether corruption or incompetence was to blame, her department will commission an independent forensic audit of all infrastructure grants and Equitable Share spending there. She said the forensic audit should determine the total amount that was budgeted against the actual amount spent on infrastructure delivery and uncover the names of the contractors that were awarded the projects and consequences for their failures. Gasa also enquired whether Gwarube found that the crisis of school infrastructure in the Eastern Cape was fuelled by mismanagement. According to Gwarube, her department acknowledged that several factors contributed to the infrastructure challenges experienced in the Eastern Cape. She cited persistent backlogs inherited from the pre-1994 era, ongoing budget constraints and competing service delivery priorities, contractor underperformance and project implementation delays, adverse weather conditions affecting construction timelines, and disruptions by local business forums and community protests at school sites. 'While these factors have negatively affected delivery in some areas, the DBE does not attribute the overall infrastructure crisis in the Eastern Cape solely to mismanagement. 'Nonetheless, systemic weaknesses have been identified and the DBE is taking steps to address these with the Eastern Cape Department of Education.' She said her department was rolling out a sector-wide 10-point infrastructure strategy designed to accelerate infrastructure delivery and strengthen accountability. "As part of efforts to improve service delivery and financial management at a provincial level, the Minister of Basic Education recently requested all MECs and heads of provincial Education Departments to submit urgent written feedback on service delivery failures and personnel irregularities across provinces.' She also said she has launched a coordinated response to restore financial discipline and protect core education services. The national department wants all provinces to submit credible financial recovery plans ahead of the Council of Education Ministers meeting scheduled for July 21. 'These plans are to be assessed for alignment with national priorities and fiscal sustainability. The Minister has also requested the DBE's director-general to liaise with National Treasury and affected provinces to design appropriate support mechanisms.' Gwarube said the DBE remained committed to providing technical oversight, supporting institutional capacity development and ensuring that public funds were utilised effectively to realise the educational rights of all learners across all provinces, including the Eastern Cape.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
More than 50% of schools in ‘very poor' condition found in Eastern Cape
Western Cape and Gauteng reported the lowest proportion, with both provinces having zero schools in very poor condition. More than 50% of public schools declared to be in 'very poor' condition are in the Eastern Cape. This was revealed during the Department of Basic Education's presentation on Tuesday to parliament's portfolio committee on basic education. The department's latest assessment highlights severe infrastructure issues across provinces, with the Eastern Cape leading in schools classified as being in critical disrepair. According to the presentation, 220 of the 390 schools in poor condition nationwide are located in the Eastern Cape. ALSO READ: Not adding up: More than 400 schools don't teach Mathematics Condition data by province The breakdown of schools in very poor condition is as follows: Eastern Cape: 220 out of 5 022 Free State: 9 out of 937 Northern Cape: 5 out of 546 Limpopo: 46 out of 3 622 Mpumalanga: 59 out of 1 632 KwaZulu-Natal: 10 out of 5 790 North West: 41 out of 1 445 Condition rating of the school by the Education Facilities Management System. Picture: Supplied Western Cape and Gauteng reported the lowest proportion, with both provinces having zero schools in very poor condition. Nationally, 2,682 out of 22,529 public schools — only 12% — are classified as being in 'excellent' condition. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest proportion of schools rated in excellent condition, at 35%. ALSO READ: Urgent mental health support needed as SA teachers buckle under pressure National outlook paints grim picture Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube acknowledged progress in school infrastructure, but emphasised that 'infrastructure is not a destination'. The minister stressed that in addition to historical backlogs, the sector must continuously respond to modern-day pressures, including overcrowding, migration, and the need for school maintenance. 'Infrastructure is not just about bricks and mortar. It reflects how much we value education as a nation. Quality learning cannot happen in environments that are unsafe or lack dignity,' said the minister in parliament on Tuesday. Despite progress, the department revealed that 8% of schools remain in poor condition, and 2% in very poor condition. 'This 2% may sound small, but it is still too many schools, and too many children being taught in unsafe conditions,' the minister warned. NOW READ: Department admits to failing to vet 3 400 school transport drivers
