Budget spent, but targets not reached

THE education department in the Eastern Cape spent 99% of its infrastructure budget – yet failed to meet half of its targets.

Education portfolio committee chairman Fundile Gade said the report tabled by the department revealed shocking spending patterns.

“What is interesting in the report is that the department failed to meet the targets set in the policy speech of the MEC Mandla Makupula but 99% of the budget is gone.

“This then raises issues of where could the money have gone? Is it not a matter of overpricing?” said Gade.

The department received a R1.679- billion budget for infrastructure, which R1.629-billion was spent.

● Only 77 schools out of a target of 178 were provided with water supply;

● Only 10 schools out of 103 were provided with electricity;

● Only 88 schools were supplied with sanitation facilities out of a target of 259;

● Only 88 classrooms out of a target of 543 were built;

● Only 10 out of 31 schools were completed and only 19 out of a target of 34 new schools are under construction;

● Only 17 out of a target of 93 Grade R classrooms were built;

● Only one out of three hostels were built; and

● Only 23 out of a target of 33 schools are undergoing scheduled maintenance. of

The UDM’s Thando Mpulu, who sits on the education portfolio committee, said the department had no capacity to implement strategies to address the education infrastructure demands of the province.

Gade also said the report showed that the department spent 13% of their budget in just 30 days.

“That kind of expenditure raises questions around possible fiscal dumping.

“The department has also shockingly spent over R300-million on consultancy fees,” he added.

The DA’s Edmund van Vuuren said it was debatable whether the department got value for money after spending most of its budget but not having met its targets.