Billions for education

POLOKWANE – Limpopo’s education budget stands at R25,284 billion for the next financial year, a 4,5% increase from the previous year.

This sum is meant to service the department’s 61 379 officials and educators, and 1,6 million learners.

Of this amount, 85% or R21,5 billion will be spent on salaries, with R19,6 billion or 91% of the total salary budget meant for educators in state schools.

R482 million is available to fund the operational requirements of the department, for head and district offices and 134 circuit offices. Among the allocations, R141 million will be spent on scholar transport servicing 23 000 learners across the province, which means R6 130 per year per commuter or R510 per month.

Learners from the poorest schools will receive meals for 190 days. In an effort to increase the matric pass rate, R21,9 million was set aside for the public school sector to ensure radio lessons, broadcasting 10 key subjects on three public broadcaster radio stations: Munghana Lonene FM, Phalaphala FM and Thobela FM.

Furthermore, all schools in quintile 1 to 3 (poorest schools) are now classified as no-fee paying schools and will be funded at R323,50 per learner.

R164 million has been set aside for early childhood development and all gr. R educators will be enrolled for a qualification at NQF6 level in this regard.

Examination and education-related services have been allocated R341 million.

According to acting MEC, Jerry Ndou, the department will continue to cut costs in an effort to deliver on its mandate of offering quality education.