21 Sep 2016

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development is left with an insignificant budget to run the affairs of the ministry, says assistant minister,  Mr Fidelis Molao.

“The budget that we get is essentially committed,  we only have about 15 per cent to spend around,” Mr Molao told the ministry staff at Tshwaragano Brigade in Gabane on September 19.

He said out of the P10.6 billion the ministry got in the current financial year, about 51.5 per cent goes towards staff salaries, adding that the ministry’s  staff was over 38 000.

He said students financing and parastatals take the other part leaving the ministry with less money to spend on school’s maintenance, food  and other day-to-day activities of the ministry.

“As we speak staff training has been greatly affected,  we are almost operating without a budget,” added Mr Molao.

Therefore, he said the ministry encourages staff to self train and upgrade, adding that the government would reimburse those who were deserving.

Mr Molao said the ministry was also challenged by issues of overtime, and he encouraged close monitoring of overtime,  adding that overtime should only be worked when necessary.

Amid the constraints, Mr Molao encouraged staff members to pull together and ensure that the ministry performs better.

He said the Ministry of Education and Skills Development was regarded as a non performing ministry, and said all staff members should share the blame with the ministry executives.

The assistant minister also said they were still battling with implementing the transfer policy as some staff members were reluctant to be transferred.

During comments, staff members complained of dilapidated school buildings, shortage of accommodation, lack of renovations, lack of play grounds and shortage of stationery.

Other staff members called on the government to look at cost sharing modalities, saying parents do not feel any pressure to pay for their children’s schools fees.

Staff members said government officials give varying statements and protect parents from paying which makes collecting money a difficult task.

One staff member from Gasiko Primary School, Ms Neo Modise complained of a high work load at the school.

She said they have to fetch water from distant pipes to flush toilets.
Before addressing staff, Mr Molao toured facilities of Tswaragano Brigade in Gabane and Kumakwane. Ends