24DEAR Editor,-
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply alarmed by the latest Auditor-General’s (A-G) findings which show that KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Education (DoE) misspent millions, with almost R20 million in wasteful and fruitless expenditure and more than R4 billion in irregular expenditure.
ALSO READ : Umuziwabantu still without sufficient water
Despite an annual budget of more than R50 billion, this department, under MEC Mthandeni Dlungwane remains under immense financial pressure.
This makes it all the more important that every single rand is spent prudently.
To add to this, the A-G also highlighted in his audit that ‘effective and appropriate steps were not taken to prevent irregular expenditure’.
This leaves the budget open to corruption.
The majority of this irregular expenditure was found to be from the National Schools Nutrition Programme tender that was set aside on the basis of allegations of corruption.
This financial misconduct has a direct impact on pupils, teachers and individual schools within KZN.
KZN’s schools are already severely underfunded in terms of departmental funds transferred to schools as ‘norms and standards’ with the DoE admitting in its 2018/19 budget that it needed R752 million to meet the national norm.
Currently, the department funds the poorest schools (those that fall within Quintiles 1, 2 and 3 – at R955 per pupil).
This is way below the national recommendation of R1 243 per pupil.
These funds are used for maintenance of schools, paying municipal bills, security, textbooks and stationery.
Funds are also supposed to be in support of poorest pupils who go to ‘No-Fee’ schools.
Yet due to the massive mismanagement of funds, the department wasted more than R4 billion in irregular expenditure and alleged corruption.
This is money that should have been transferred to schools to improve conditions for pupils and teachers.
Instead many remain in a deplorable state due lack of maintenance, with some schools having electricity and water cut due to non-payment.
The A-G’s findings have again highlighted how little this failed ANC government cares about the interests of both pupils and teachers in KwaZulu-Natal.
The DA expects MEC Dlungwana to account to the province’s education portfolio committee for his failure to properly monitor funds within his department.
ALSO READ : OPINION: ‘Glowing picture gives a skewed perception’
Education is the best tool to empower future generation escape the poverty trap.
The DA will continue to fight for pupils to get funding needed to create educational opportunities and against corruption and mismanagement within the Department of Education.
DR RISHIGEN VIRANNA, MPL
DA KZN Spokesperson on Education
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
