Basic Education Budget Vote Report; NSNP roll-out, challenges and review

Video Annual Performance Plan (APP) of Government Departments & Entities 2026/27 The Department of Basic Education (DBE) 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan and Budget covered matters such as learner support, infrastructure, budget allocations, and programme implementation. The meeting focused on persistent systemic challenges observed through oversight visits and departmental reporting, particularly on Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM), school infrastructure, school nutrition, and programme funding constraints. A key area of discussion for the Committee was the availability and use of textbooks under the LTSM policy. Members raised concerns about widespread textbook sharing among learners, which was confirmed by DBE as a common practice in some provinces, despite there being no formal policy requiring or promoting textbook sharing. DBE clarified that provinces are expected to ensure adequate textbook provision and that current procurement cycles are intended to replace and update textbooks aligned with curriculum requirements over the 2026/27 period. The Committee also interrogated school infrastructure challenges, particularly the status of conditional assessments being conducted across provinces. Members expressed concern that existing departmental data may not reflect the actual conditions on the ground, citing issues such as incomplete infrastructure projects, poor maintenance, and safety risks in schools. DBE committed to providing written provincial breakdowns of conditional assessment findings and acknowledged the need for stronger oversight and accountability in infrastructure delivery. A major point of concern was the continued use of temporary container classrooms as permanent infrastructure. The Chairperson highlighted that containers, originally intended as short-term relief measures for overcrowding, have in many cases become long-term classrooms without adequate maintenance or basic facilities such as electricity and ventilation. DBE was requested to provide a comprehensive assessment of the scale of this issue and a clear plan for addressing or replacing such structures. In its National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) presentation, DBE explained that feeding schemes primarily target Quintile 1–3 schools, with some provinces extending coverage to additional learners using provincial funds. Variations in implementation across provinces were noted, with concerns raised about inconsistent coverage and operational inefficiencies. DBE confirmed that discussions are ongoing about a revised model that decentralises implementation to provinces while maintaining national guidelines. On budget constraints and reductions, the DBE Chief Financial Officer explained that funding cuts are largely driven by fiscal constraints imposed by National Treasury. It was noted that the education sector has experienced long-term underfunding, requiring difficult prioritisation decisions. Despite this, infrastructure grants remain a key focus, with significant backlogs estimated nationally. Additional issues included scholar transport challenges, learner safety concerns, overcrowding in schools, and the integration of Grade R practitioners into the formal system, including qualification upgrading. DBE also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education, including access for undocumented learners in line with constitutional obligations and court rulings. In conclusion, the Chairperson emphasised the need for detailed written responses on unresolved issues, particularly infrastructure assessments and container classroom usage. The Committee indicated that a final oversight report will be compiled and shared with members, and that further engagements may be scheduled depending on parliamentary availability.