We are also encouraged that government is working on improving school infrastructure through the roll-out of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative, Asidi, programme. With regard to teachers' development, the committee will closely monitor the implementation of the new teacher development plan, to ensure that it is translated into a wide range of teachers' training materials and collaborative professional development.
Why acknowledge strides made so far? We are mindful of the magnitude of this task. Areas that still need attention include the implementation of measures to address inconsistencies in the classification of schools, the quintile system, and subsidising parents in expenses related to school uniforms, shoes and stationery.
In conclusion, we are encouraged by the coherent vision of the department to address many of these challenges, as alluded to in the report and as articulated in the Action Plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025. It is crucial that all education stakeholders - including Parliament, principals, teachers, unions, parents, NGOs, institutions of higher education and business - address themselves to assisting the department in these challenges. Education is not only the responsibility of the Department of Basic Education, but it is a societal issue.