Budget speech 2022

Guests,. For the last number of years, I have been in the unfortunate position of having to begin my budget speech by outlining the harsh reality the WCED faces ...

Their recognition of the problems with the national government's funding model, and their readiness to join our call for a relook at the quintile system, is refreshing and appreciated. We are starting with 12 schools in the first cohort this year, which will expand to approximately 300 schools by the third cohort in 2024. I also recognise the contribution of the former Chairperson, Honourable Lorraine Botha, for her leadership of the committee throughout the previous year, and her support for the education system in this province. We currently have 22 such schools in our province, and the construction of a School of Skills in Manenberg is currently in the planning phase. Our miracle school, Jakes Gerwel Technical School, is a prime example of a community that saw a need for skills education in the area. Complicating factors are how to deal with things like norms and standards for infrastructure not applying to these schools, and schools being registered in the Western Cape while enrolling learners living in other parts of the country or even the world. Our commitment to this goal preceded the pandemic, with an expanded focus on STEAMAC. It focuses on the specific skills our provincial and national economy needs now, and will need in the future. This shows the commitment of the Western Cape Government and WCED to our poorer communities. Additional support for our schools will be the implementation of the third phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), which will be implemented from 1 April to 30 September this year. Whilst the actual number is subject to the consultation process with the unions later this year, we are very hopeful that we will be able to add over 1000 extra posts to the basket. Planning has already started to ensure that we maximise this opportunity, but crucial to our ability to do this will be the scrapping of PTI 16b, which compels us to use DTPW as our sole implementing agent. This will allow us to put projects that had to be suspended by budget cuts back on the table, like the establishment of a high school in Darling.