Chairperson, let me start off by congratulating the Nombulelo Secondary School in Makhanda on their outstanding achievement in the music competition. The annual performance plan of the Department of Basic Education aligns itself to, among other things, the National Development Plan, NDP, the Green Paper for Post School Education and Training and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework 2014 to 2019. It is also inspired by President Ramaphosa's state of the nation address.
The NDP envisages that by 2030, all South Africans should have access to education and training of the highest quality, leading to significantly improved learning outcomes.
The achievement of improved learning outcomes has a bearing on how learners, post-education phase, perform in the immediate future. Our education system is the bedrock of the country's economic development.
There are urgent challenges we need to attend to. The AIC says that the rationalisation of schools' policy is unworkable and
the mega-sized schools do not always address the structural, socioeconomic issues affecting our learners. As an alternative, we said we will revamp mud schools, properly equip them and attract a competent staff complement. We should provide allowances at these schools to incentivise teachers, so that they can do their work with great interest. There was a bold emphasis that we need to have accreditation-exit classes at the end of each phase in high school. In this way, we will be able to document learners who leave the education system before Grade 12. We also said that we will ensure that scholar transport and school nutrition are properly looked into. We do appreciate the allocation that has been made to school nutrition. At least, it will assist learners that come from poor families.
There is admission by the department that, as a result of budget cuts for the provincial education departments, compliance with the norms and standards for school infrastructure will likely not be achieved. This is regrettable!
There are still schools that withhold reports of learners ... [Time expired.] We do support the Budget Vote. [Applause.]