Chairperson, I have no intention of taking up all the time allocated to me, because we fully agree with what members have said on the majority of issues raised. We make the undertaking that we will indeed follow through on some of the recommendations they have made to us, through the implementation, oversight and monitoring unit that we are establishing.
I want to take this opportunity to thank members for the debate. To the acting chairperson of the committee I say that we will follow up on the advice given on school nutrition and the rationalisation of schools. We are also currently working with the Department of Transport on establishing norms and standards for scholar transport, because it is a worrying factor indeed. We are looking at the budgets that provinces are already spending on learner transport. We think it is a bottomless pit because, in some instances, they transport learners even when they are not supposed to. Urban provinces should be able to provide schools in close proximity, saving that money. So, we will be engaging with provinces on that.
I think I can safely acknowledge, MEC Grant, that the Western Cape - and I keep saying this without shame - is, indeed, one of the best-run provinces in the country, alongside Gauteng. KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape are improving. Those are some of our best provinces. I have to say that. We can say that with pride, because in the previous two terms, when the ANC ran the province, it set up a very solid education system. That was also a system established alongside, or even by, Premier Zille. So, it has been quite fortunate that all the departments have settled on very good solutions. The current MEC has built on a very good legacy and made sure that he upped the bar. I think that is why we are in agreement most of the time, because, as I say, it is a well-run province. It complies with national policies. We learn a lot. We share a lot with the province and we can say that with real pride and joy.
The other parties could possibly be wasting my time. Cope is a party in turmoil. So, if I really have to respond, I am not really sure what you are dealing with. [Interjections.] You are dealing with traumatised people. Even their inputs are extremely traumatised, I think. [Laughter.] [Applause.] So, I will be wasting my time trying to resolve their issues, because I am dealing with the crumbs of a splinter. So, I really do not want to waste time. I do not know what it is that you are raising. [Interjections.] It is a party fighting for survival. I think one can appreciate the turmoil and the trouble that the party is going through, and this includes their input here today.
As for the member of the ID, I am not sure. The party has been swallowed. It is gone. So again, I do not want to be responding to something that is already absent, just waiting for its time to be up in 2014. I will be wasting time.
Let me engage with people who have a future and who have plans. [Laughter.] [Applause.] I will try and engage with the DA. Maybe it has a future, but the others are dead. I am wasting my time. They are not going to take me anywhere. You know, the ANC is going to be around forever, so let me try to deal with those who are going to be here forever too. [Interjections.]
As I said, from the Ministry's side, we will submit all the concerns raised and the proposals that we have been given here. We will put them through a planning and implementation process via the unit that we are setting up. We will also exercise oversight over them.
We want to thank everybody for their support and also the members of the ANC for their unwavering support. As a department, we are very aware that if we are to succeed we need all the support we can get. The President called for education to be a societal issue. We are greatly encouraged by the support that we are getting, especially from the ruling party, and we will do our best.
In all humility, I really want to thank the members for a very vibrant debate. We have taken copious notes. We will follow through on most of the points that have been raised here. I thank you, Chair. [Applause.] Debate concluded.