Hon Speaker, our government is working with other stakeholders to ensure that we improve our skills and human resource base. This is one of the reasons why we decided to split the Education Department into two stand-alone departments - to focus on basic education and higher education and training. Cabinet will soon consider the Human Resource Development Strategy document. Already, wide-ranging consultations have been held both inside and outside of government.
All of the five priorities have been incorporated into government's Medium- Term Strategic Framework, MTSF. All government departments are working towards these objectives. The 10 objectives of the MTSF have also been converted into 12 outcomes, and the President has signed performance agreements with the respective Ministers on these.
Ministers are currently consulting with delivery partners from national and provincial departments to finalise delivery agreements detailing the specifics of delivery. The delivery on these outcomes requires skills development. It must be noted that the National Skills Development Strategy III, currently being finalised by the Department of Higher Education and Training, also incorporates the key objectives of the strategy.
The monitoring of our human resource development is to be done through the HRD council, which is led by the hon Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. Monitoring mechanisms will include all role-players in the strategy.
Hon member, there has been significant expansion and growth in further and higher education and training over the past 16 years. The dramatic growth and expansion of the education system has enabled the country to achieve high enrolment rates at school level. We still want to improve on these and, ultimately, ensure 100% attendance.
A key development of the past 16 years is also the introduction of legislation that compels the private sector to invest in skills development by introducing a skills levy and skills development plans. The introduction of learnerships is an important development. It enables new graduates to be exposed to the job market for practical experience. All in all, we are on track to introducing a comprehensive human resource development programme working with all key stakeholders. Thank you, hon Speaker.