1. STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATION
VOTE 14: BASIC EDUCATION
STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATION
23 August 2017
MR HM MWELI
Director-General

2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

3. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Governance and Accountability Performance
SCM Functionality
Cost Containment Measures by the Department and Provincial Education Departments (PEDs)

4. GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PERFORMANCE

5. MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT TOOL (MPAT)
MPAT score above level 2 means that the Department is compliant with the basic legal and regulatory requirements. DBE scored and aggregate of 80% of scores above level 2 in 2016/17, which is an improvement of 14% from 2015/16 .

6. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The Department has adopted the Performance Management and Development System for setting goals and reviewing performance of employees.
 Officials within the Department enter into performance agreements.
The performance agreement and work plans are linked to the strategic objectives
Poor performance is monitored and plans for improving performance are developed.
Critical Vacancies
All critical vacant posts have been advertised. However, not all vacant posts can be filled as a result of budgetary cuts on the Compensation of Employees budget.
The posts of Director: Logistical Services, Director: National Assessments, as well as posts of Chief Director: Quality Enhancement Programmes, Chief Director: National Institute for Curriculum Development and Chief Director: Legal and Legislative Services were advertised during the quarter.
The posts of Director: Sport and Enrichment, Director: GET, Director: FET, Director: Strategic Planning and Reporting, Director: Research Co-ordination, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Director: Internal and External Liaison have been filled.

7. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Status of Audit
Monthly cash flow statements are submitted to the Minister, Branch Heads and Management;
The identified misallocations are rectified to present a true reflection of the spending trend;
Financial Circular has been circulated informing managers to prioritise invoices when they are received;
This internal control has been working effectively and all invoices received were paid within 30 days as required by National Treasury guidelines.
Status of Audit
The Department received an unqualified audit opinion with matters of emphasis.
Office of the CFO has been working closely with Auditor- General to ensure all requested information is submitted to them within required time.
Findings were mainly related to ASIDI programme, AG has noted improvement as compared to previous financial years.
Action plan has been developed to address findings and to avoid repetition of the findings.
Consequence management is applied where necessary.

8. SCM FUNCTIONALITY

9. OVERALL STATUS OF SCM FUNCTIONALITY
Procurement plans for 2016/17 and 2017/18 were developed, approved and submitted to National Treasury.
Major deviation
Appointment of a service provider for re-allocation of basic services projects for ASIDI programme.
Appointment of a service provider on emergency basis to provide Legal Opinion on the Bid Evaluation process of RT
Cost Drivers
Kha Ri Gude Programme (only applicable until 2016/17 financial year);
Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) Programme; and
Supply of Learner Workbooks.

10. COST CONTAINMENT MEASURES

11. COST CONTAINMENT MEASURES
Adverts for campaigns, awareness and promotional items, local media are utilised to reach local community and consideration is done to utilise the cheapest modes of advertising.
Consultants are only utilised when it is difficult to appoint personnel with the required technical skill/expertise.
Internal meetings are held in the morning sessions to avoid providing for lunch.
Memory sticks are used for documents in internal meetings if copy is too big and CDs are used for Offices that are remote.
Normal postage is used to avoid urgent delivery with courier services.
Lease agreements on photocopy machines are valid for a specific period for the benefit of the department. Prices are market related.

12. COST CONTAINMENT MEASURES
Officials are encouraged to travel together for official trips.
Training of educators is done by Departmental officials who are experts in the field, for instance subject advisors for curriculum.
Internal facilities are utilised for training, workshops and meetings where possible.
Schools have retrieval policy and also use central procurement as bulk ordering to reduce the costs through sales discount.
Vacant posts are advertised in the newspaper indicating details about the position and level of the post. The duties and responsibilities are placed on the DPSA website.
Cheapest fare flight tickets are utilised.
Better rates with hotels and car rental companies are negotiated.