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In the 2021/22 financial year, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spent 100% of its infrastructure allocation which equates to more than R1.7 billion. This was revealed during the deliberations of the WCED’s Annual Report, where 99.9% of the Department’s total budget of R25.3 billion was spent.

With the Department also having achieved 75% of its targets – an increase of 14% from the previous financial year - it meant that quality education for every learner in every classroom was ensured.

We see the culmination of these efforts in the NSC result from 2021, in which the overall pass rate increased to 81.2% as well as obtaining the highest Mathematics and Physical Science rates in the country of 71.6% and 76.2%, respectively. Additionally, the access to bachelor’s degrees increased to 45.3% with 29 543 subject distinctions having been obtained.

For quality education to be truly effective, it is crucial for all children, no matter their socio-economic background, to have equal access to learning. This is why:

• 658 380 learners in public ordinary schools benefitted from the “no-fee” policy;
• 497 660 learners were fed through the nutrition programme;
• 63 462 learners were transported via 591 routes to and from 472 schools;
• 22 702 learners were subsidised at registered independent schools; and
• 90 797 learners received fee exemptions at 553 different schools, which equated to almost R73 million.

Despite the pressures of the Covid-19 which impacted the implementation of its programmes, the WCED focused much of its efforts in creating a conducive learning environment during the year under review. It is for this reason why the WCED:

• Delivered all 488 176 textbooks that were ordered before the start of the 2022 academic year;
• Has 624 learning support or remedial teachers working at public ordinary schools;
• Installed high perimeter security fencing at 54 schools, which increased the running total to 244;
• Built 48 additional classes for Grade R at 29 schools;
• Trained 5 266 teachers on ICT integration, 1 760 more than initially planned; and
• Trained 1 600 ECD practitioners through learnerships offered at 6 TVET Colleges.

MPP Deidré Baartman says: “As the DA in the Western Cape, we welcome these significant achievements by the WCED. Our province has a strong record of good governance which translated into service delivery, and this is no different to what is experienced by our learners. Even though the effects of Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures were still felt during this financial year, we see continual progress being made. The WCED has once again proven its commitment our learners.

Finally, we would like to also wish the Deputy Director-General: Institution Development and Coordination, Mr Archie Lewis, a happy retirement after 46 years of service to learners in our province. As this chapter in your life ends, may a new and exciting one begin.”

Issued by Deidré Baartman, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education