Education
(1) What is the procedure that must be followed to change the national quintile designation of a school;
(2) whether she received any applications for the changing of a quintile designation at any school in the Western Cape; if so, (a) from whom was the application received, (b) what was the decision and (c) what is (i) her role and (ii) the role of her Department regarding the redesignation of and deviation from already determined quintiles?
[1] Schools must submit an application to the district office to appeal their quintile designation. The appeal must contain the following:
· Purpose of the appeal
· The factors contributing to the schools financial difficulties; and
· The action the school has taken to address these difficulties
The district office evaluates the appeal and submits their recommendation to Head Office along with:
· Information about the socio economic conditions of the school, i.e. the ability for parents to pay school fees
· If there is a feeding schemes in the area
· Support and guidance provided to the school by the district office
· The school’s latest audited annual financial statements
· The budget in relation to the annual financial statements submitted
The Directorate Budget Management submits the application with the comments by the relevant directors via the HODs office to the MEC’s office for approval.
The district office informs the school about the outcome. If approved the schools’ classification is updated.
[2] Yes
[a] The following schools submitted applications:
Hillcrest Secondary; Sao Bras Secondary; Erika Primary; Zwartberg High School; Fraaisig Primary; Uniondale High School; Laingsburg High School; Kairos Secondary; Blomvlei Primary; Albertinia High School; Heidelberg High School; Sibelius High School; Dennoord Laerskool; Harvester Primary; Starling Primary; Buck Road Primary; Van der Hoven Laerskool; Kretzenshoop Primary; Heatherlands High School; Woodlands Secondary; West Riding Primary; Perseverance Secondary; Bloubergrant Secondary; Belvue Primary; Dr van der Ross Primary; Pacaltsdorp Secondary; Uitkyk Laerskool; Nebo Primary and Uitkyk Primary
[b] One application has been processed and is on route to my office for consideration. All other applications are being processed and analysed, which will then be routed to my office for consideration.
[c]
[i] I consider each case on its merit and either approve or reject the application. However, national policy dictates, for example, that the Western Cape may only classify 8.6% of schools as Quintile 1 schools, compared to the Limpopo with 28.2%. This means that we may only consider an application to classify a school as a Quintile 1 school if another school closes, to ensure that the percentage of schools in Quintile 1 does not exceed the national requirement of 8.6%. I have raised the unfairness of this process with the National Minister since I came into office, as it does not take into account the realities that many of our schools face. Nothing has changed. If we are to deviate from national policy without the concomitant budget, it is unaffordable for us.
[ii] The Department communicates the outcome of the appeal to all relevant stakeholders and implements my decision.
