Chairperson, hon Kubayi was right; this is a new question that I would have to prepare for and come back with the facts.
Nevertheless, I want to say that I am very much aware of what is happening at Mthashana. For instance, I am aware of the situation of the college principal who is not at work and that there is an acting principal now.
I am also aware of the situation in KwaGqikazi which, fortunately, has also been brought to my attention by iSilo samaBandla, who has invited me to go and meet with him so that we can actually address these problems.
I am in touch with the province of KwaZulu-Natal with regard to how we will deal with this. Remember that as things stand now, as much as FET colleges are going to become a national competence, before an appropriate constitutional amendment they still remain the responsibility of the provinces.
I am, therefore, working very closely with the provinces. We already have a memorandum of agreement on how the Department of Higher Education and Training is going to relate to the provinces in relation to managing problems.
Besides that, I have not sat back. I am engaging the provinces all the time, hence the need for this audit that we want to undertake by the end of October, using these task teams that I was talking about to identify each and every problem.
Ngizoya-ke nalaphaya kuleziya zindawana, ngidlule kaMntwana uShenge ngicele itiye bese ngidlula ngiyolungisa lo msebenzi, Bab'uMpontshane, ungakhathazeki. [I will also go to those areas, get to Prince Shenge's place to ask for tea and then go on to address that problem, hon Mpontshane - do not worry.]
Position regarding steps to ensure equal quality of education for learners in public school system and those in private schools
215. Mr A M Mpontshane (IFP) asked the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether she is taking any steps to ensure that the quality of education for learners in the public school system is equal to that of the education which is currently provided in private schools; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(2) whether she is taking any steps to narrow this quality gap to ensure equal education and opportunity for all learners; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?