There may be problems with the School Nutrition Programme but there certainly are not with the Legislature Nutrition Programme with MPLs provided with a veritable feast of food to keep them fortified during plenary sessions.
Catering staff slave over stoves all morning to ensure the tables are groaning by the time the hordes arrive shortly before 2pm – and it is showing on the girth of some of the more portly members of the Legislature. In fact some of them are becoming positively rotund.
Some time ago as he observed the girth of members of the National Assembly expand in an almost exponential manner, one MP proposed that members should be weighed as they were sworn in so that there would be a record of if and how they had ballooned as the session worn on.
Unfortunately plenary sessions only last four days otherwise there would be a superb opportunity for a weight loss company!
Showing posts with label school nutrition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school nutrition. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Wanted: R24 billion to fix education
The Eastern Cape Education department requires R21,2 billion to eliminate backlogs and bring all buildings up to the required standard. In addition, it needs R2,2 billion to wipe out mud structures and a further R1,4 billion to address the maintenance backlog.
But, the department’s Infrastructure Plan tabled in the Bhisho Legislature last weeks shows that the budget for the next financial year (2009/10) is only R1,3 billion and for the next two years a total of R3,2 billion. The department states that while this is “a significant improvement on previous years, these budgets are still wholly insufficient to begin addressing backlogs”.
Currently, only 621 (11%) of the 5 704 schools in the Eastern Cape are described as being in a “good condition” with a further 237 (4%) being housed in new buildings.
The condition of 1 060 (19%) is described as “very weak” and of 1 601 (28%) as “weak” with a further 2 088 (37%) being in need of repair. Just 71 schools are currently being upgraded.
But, the department’s Infrastructure Plan tabled in the Bhisho Legislature last weeks shows that the budget for the next financial year (2009/10) is only R1,3 billion and for the next two years a total of R3,2 billion. The department states that while this is “a significant improvement on previous years, these budgets are still wholly insufficient to begin addressing backlogs”.
Currently, only 621 (11%) of the 5 704 schools in the Eastern Cape are described as being in a “good condition” with a further 237 (4%) being housed in new buildings.
The condition of 1 060 (19%) is described as “very weak” and of 1 601 (28%) as “weak” with a further 2 088 (37%) being in need of repair. Just 71 schools are currently being upgraded.
- Full report in The Herald today
Qwase's challenges
Anyone doubting the challenges facing new Education MEC Mahlubandile Qwase need only look at a document tabled in the Legislature last week that provides departmental responses to the education committees visit to schools in March this year.
The first two entries in the report:
LOWER CULUNCA JSS
Enough stationery but not all textbooks received – intervention: meet with the supplier
No electricity and water facilities , school depends on water tanks – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
Toilets were in bad condition – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
and
UPPER CULUNCA JSS
60 per cent of learner support material still outstanding – intervention: meet with suppliers
Only dilapidated temporary structure, no toilets, school not fenced, no sports facilities – intervention: provincial office to be informed as soon as possible
School Nutrition Programme – supplier providing stake bread twice a week- intervention: meet with supplier as soon as possible
And it goes on and on and on…
The first two entries in the report:
LOWER CULUNCA JSS
Enough stationery but not all textbooks received – intervention: meet with the supplier
No electricity and water facilities , school depends on water tanks – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
Toilets were in bad condition – intervention: none (the space for intervention, whose responsibility it is and time frames are left blank)
and
UPPER CULUNCA JSS
60 per cent of learner support material still outstanding – intervention: meet with suppliers
Only dilapidated temporary structure, no toilets, school not fenced, no sports facilities – intervention: provincial office to be informed as soon as possible
School Nutrition Programme – supplier providing stake bread twice a week- intervention: meet with supplier as soon as possible
And it goes on and on and on…
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Education dept deluged by court action
SOME 171 new civil actions were instituted in the last financial year against the Eastern Cape education department, 59 of them related to similar applications brought by 59 suppliers for the School Nutrition Programmer whose tenders were cancelled in 2004.
The 59 cases are all claims for a loss of profits and some are for amounts as high as R3 million.
Other cases involve the expulsion of pupils from Queens College, the filling of the post of principal at Sydenham Primary and even one involving a pupil who was appointed as a prefect and then demoted.
Replying to a written question from Donald Smiles (DA) Education MEC Johnny Makgato says that most of the applications were still pending and one had been decided in favour of the department. He added that there had been no civil actions instituted connected to irregularities relating to the appointment of officials to senior positions.
The 59 cases are all claims for a loss of profits and some are for amounts as high as R3 million.
Other cases involve the expulsion of pupils from Queens College, the filling of the post of principal at Sydenham Primary and even one involving a pupil who was appointed as a prefect and then demoted.
Replying to a written question from Donald Smiles (DA) Education MEC Johnny Makgato says that most of the applications were still pending and one had been decided in favour of the department. He added that there had been no civil actions instituted connected to irregularities relating to the appointment of officials to senior positions.
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