Minister Nzimande on the Department of Higher Education and Training’s 3rd Quarter Performance Report 12 March 2014 The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Blade Nzimande, MP, along with Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana, MP, led a delegation of senior officials from the Department to table the Department’s 3rd Quarter Performance Report (October 2013 to December 2013) before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. At the core of the 3rd Quarter Report lies performance information on pre-determined objectives and budget, based on the Department’s 2013/14 Annual Performance Plan approved by the Portfolio Committee. The Report gives an indication that the Department is on course to progressively delivery on its strategic goals for this term of Government. Of the 23 pre-determined targets for the quarter under review, 20 (87%) were achieved. Significant progress was recorded on all Programmes of the Department, namely, (1) Administration, (2) Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation, (3) University Education, (4) Vocational and Continuing Education and Training, and (5) Skills Development. All targets of Programme 5 were achieved. The two new universities were a major focus of the worker undertaken during the third quarter, with the Sol Plaatje University having been launched on 19 September 2013, and the University of Mpumalanga on 31 October of the same year. Interim Management Teams were appointed by the Interim Councils of both Universities and this includes the appointment of personnel for teaching and administration. Refurbishment of existing buildings to accommodate the 2014 academic programmes at both institutions was also undertaken. On the new Health and Allied Sciences University, a Government Gazette requesting nominations to the Interim Council and a call for public participation in suggesting a name for the new institution was published. Transfers to universities and public entities are up to date. By the end of December 2013, 94.8% of the budget had been transferred to universities, 75% to the Council for Higher Education (CHE) and 100% to the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The Report also reflected the continued strengthening of the institutional capacity of Vocational Continuing Education and Training (formerly known as FET) colleges to improve performance and efficiency. The Skills Development Branch of the Department is seized with the promotion and monitoring of the National Skills Development Strategy, and the development of a Skills Development policy, while creating an enabling regulatory framework. Artisan development is at the core of the work undertaken in pursuit of Programme 5 (Skills Development) goals. Nationally, 6 683 artisan candidates have entered learning, with 5 000 candidates having been the target. The number of those who were found competent nationally also surpassed the planned target of 3 000, achieving 3 493. It was also reported that the turn-around strategy on Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) is already yielding the desired outcomes. The Minister reiterated the need to deliberately and consciously build a SETA cadre that will drive the change process that is desperately needed by the country’s labour market. Minister Nzimande also expressed gratitude for the Portfolio Committee’s strategic guidance and continued support shown since 2009. The Minister underscored the Committee’s support as of “vital importance in achieving our common goal of a single, coherent, differentiated, highly articulated and yet diverse and non-racial post-school education and training system, with all sectors playing their role as part of a coherent but differentiated whole, as outlined in the White Paper on Post-School Education and Training”.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 09:56:18 +0000
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