Investigate transfer or state funds to public schools, says FEDSAS

ON the one hand the government and the Department of Basic Education threaten to remove power from school governing bodies, but on the other hand provincial education departments are unable to wield the power they already have.

This is the reaction of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS) after it came to light that public schools in three provinces have not yet received the second transfer payment of the year from their provincial education departments. Transfer payments must be done annually on 15 May and 15 November. However, schools in Limpopo, North-West and KwaZulu-Natal are still waiting for their money.

"Schools need this money for operating costs, such as stationary," says Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of FEDSAS. "Public schools need this money to function. But as usual provincial education departments are indifferent towards their responsibilities, which mean parents now have to shoulder this financial burden."

In addition, Deacon says FEDSAS is aware of at least ten of its member schools in Limpopo that are still waiting for their first transfer payment of the year. "In other words these schools have not received a cent from government this year. At this stage one can surely ask what happened to this money."

FEDSAS is concerned about the priorities of the national government regarding education. "Planning Minister Trevor Manuel voiced his concern in his Report on Education regarding the effective management of schools. And the Minister of Basic Education has proposed that the responsibility of appointing school principals must be moved to education departments. FEDSAS thinks that the Education Department should first get its own house in order. If a basic administrative function such as the transfer of money cannot be accomplished properly it leads to serious concerns over the abilities of officials."

Deacon says it is arrogant of education officials and other political leaders to remove duties from school governing bodies when it is these bodies that save schools from ruin. "However, FEDSAS is grateful to the six provinces that did pay over the money in time. Schools need this money urgently and will utilise it immediately."

"We acknowledge the concerns of the Planning Commission, but FEDSAS requests Minister Manuel to launch an in-depth investigation into the internal structures of the Department of Basic Education and the provincial education departments first."

FEDSAS demands that the education departments of Limpopo, North-West and KwaZulu-Natal inform schools urgently of the exact date on which transfers will take place. "If this does not happen, FEDSAS will have no other option but to ask the court to force the HODs of these departments to do their jobs."

(FEDSAS is a voluntary association of school governing bodies of public schools and supports quality education in these schools. Some 1260 public schools are already members of FEDSAS).

Statement issued by FEDSAS, November 22 2011

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