Hon Chairperson, I wish to respond to three statements, the one being in respect of Basic Education and the other two being in respect of Higher Education and Training, in the absence of the hon Minister and Deputy Minister.
I wish to thank hon Nyambi for drawing our attention to the importance of school governing body elections. These elections take place every three years and are in fact bigger than the national, provincial and local government elections combined. A total of 250 000 representatives for schools are elected at these governing body elections.
What is critical is to recognise the empirical link between schools that are functioning well and strong governing bodies. Therefore, we urge all political parties to ensure that they participate, support people in this and mobilise them to participate effectively in the governing bodies.
In regard to information, the Independent Electoral Commission has been contacted to collaborate with and support the Department of Basic Education in this very important exercise. A framework to assist presiding officers has been developed. Guides in regard to their roles, responsibilities and functions for governing bodies have been prepared for induction purposes. Students will also be assisted in this particular exercise for purposes of induction.
Hon Chairperson, with regard to Higher Education and Training ... [Interjections.]
House Chair, may I address you in terms of Rule 105?
(Ms A T Didiza): Yes, hon Steenhuisen. You may proceed.
The order of responses should be the Minister or the relevant Deputy Minister, or another Minister on behalf of the absent Minister. Firstly, Mr Surty is not a member of the Cabinet. Secondly, he is not the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, and is therefore not allowed to respond to questions that have been put in regard to Higher Education and Training. [Interjections.]
Hon Steenhuisen, thank you very much. I think the statement the hon Surty is responding to is in respect of the school governing bodies. That is what he was responding to now and that is within the competence of the Basic Education Minister, for which department he is a Deputy Minister. [Interjections.]
Secondly, as we all know, even though Deputy Ministers may not be members of Cabinet, they have delegated responsibilities. So it is in that context that we allow them to respond, because it may happen that those functions fall within the purview of the respective Deputy Minister. I think the Deputy Minister has responded to that relevant question. I have noted the other question and hon Surty also understood that he was speaking in respect of the statement on Higher Education, and the relevant Ministers will respond to that question. Hon Surty, you still have a few minutes to respond in case you were not done.
I was going to respond to the statement on Higher Education and Training, but if my colleagues are able do so, that is fine. Mine was really a very positive response, rather than a negative one, but if the hon member feels that the question is not worthy of a response from somebody who has some knowledge of education, then I will not respond and we will allow our colleagues to do so on their ownbehalf. I was really just going to congratulate the student representative council ... [Time expired.]