Thank you, Madam Speaker. Before I introduce the report, I would like to start by congratulating all parties that will hold conferences during this month and next month, because you did not do it, but every one is so quite about them; they only speak about one important conference that is coming up. [Laughter.]
The oversight visit to the northern areas of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape took place from 19th to 20th June 2012. The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education received information regarding problems that were experienced in schools in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth, which were the possible suspension of classes, protest action, picketing, and marches of various stakeholders within the community. Although the portfolio committee had not conducted oversight in these areas, to date, it was important to meet all the relevant stakeholders as reported in the report.
The main objective of the visit was to assess the gravity of the challenges that are faced in the affected areas, and to gain first-hand experience and information from those who are affected and give them necessary support and advice in dealing with the challenges. The challenges that were experienced in the northern areas were: payments of serving educators and payments that are still to be backdated; permanent appointment of educators; the appointment of support staff; providing a teacher for every class; eradicating overcrowding in schools; transfer of funds that were due to the schools; the paper budget; and the nutrition programme. Other challenges include school infrastructure to some schools that were built within the past 10 years instead of renovating the schools that are 61 years old; incorrect delivery of Learner Support Material, LSM, and Learner Teacher Support Material, LTSM; and the correct quintile classification.
The district itself, after seeing that the problems were experienced in the northern areas as well as the southern suburbs and to a certain extent within the western suburbs, gave the committee a report on human resource capacity and finance because they are only operational and the powers were not delegated to the district; the infrastructure report because 20 new schools are needed within the northern areas of Port Elizabeth; and school nutrition; and transport.
The committee agreed that its recommendation would that the department would look into concerns identified and have them resolved within 10 days from the date of the oversight. On 9th July, ten days later, we received the departmental report on the programme of action to resolve the problems experienced within Port Elizabeth itself. Some of the timelines attached to it will continue into the new financial year. I am therefore tabling this report to Parliament for consideration. I thank you, Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]