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The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has called on the National Treasury to ensure that the government-wide budget cuts do not affect the Department of Basic Education’s programmes, especially at public township schools.

Mr Feni said it was unfortunate that the narrative has become about the impact of budget cuts, and not how to enhance what DBE is doing and will do.

“This department is challenged with absorbing the Early Childhood Development children as the function had just been transferred to DBE. Apart from that, we are yet to resolve matters of sanitation, safety and curriculum provision needs. The sector requires funding,” he said.

“The committee believes retrenching or not employing new teachers suffocates the sector. The security of schools from extortionists and the safety of children and principals are also issues that should be resolved. All of these require adequate funding.”

On Tuesday, the department briefed the committee on its annual report, during which it became apparent that the department is under severe pressure and that many of its programmes would be affected if nothing was done.

The Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, informed the committee that the department had successfully absorbed the ECD function and that Grade R practitioners were provided a monthly stipend of R5000 to 7000. “Variations are there between provinces. The practitioners are now absorbed into the teaching profession and will be paid like teachers.”

Mr Feni said the department runs two of the most crucial budget exhaustive areas – the nutrition programme and scholar transport. “All poor learners from townships and rural schools depend on these programmes. We cannot afford to function on anticipation of funds being shifted or on virements and variations. That is not healthy. The National Treasury must intervene now rather than later,” said Mr Feni.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf on behalf of the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Science and the Creative Industries, Makhi Feni