Education faces tough times
Budget cuts could hamper the roll-out of the revised curriculum for grade eight and nine and the education ministry is worried that the cuts could affect exam results this year.
“It is a fact that the downward revision of the 2017/18 budget is negatively impacting the mandate of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture as it will affect implementation of our programmes across the board,” Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said this week.
She added that the ministry foresaw “serious implications” in the roll-out of the revised grade eight curriculum this year and the revised grade nine curriculum next year “due to very limited funding, especially in the area of textbook procurement and continuous professional development.”
She said the cuts significantly reduced the universal primary and secondary education grants per child, and the ministry was worried about the impact on the provision of textbooks and other learning materials, as well as teacher training.
“A negative impact on learner outcomes is anticipated for the 2017 academic year due to the reduction in the budget allocation for text books, school stationery and teaching aids.”
She said the desired ratio of one textbook per learner “will not be achieved with the insufficient resource allocation”.
Another area of concern, which the ministry said required further consultation with the Ministry of Finance for additional budget allocation, is hostel accommodation for students.
“During 2016, a total number of 63 988 learners across the country were accommodated in 226 primary and secondary boarding schools. I must however point out that the implications of the budget cuts are worrying for the hostel boarders …” she said.
The minister also referred to the introduction of new technical and vocational subjects, in line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which required “a lot of resources and expertise which is costly.”
She explained that education budget cuts would also “negatively affect the implementation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme, especially the roll-out of ICT equipment to educational institutions, support and maintenance of ageing equipment” and more.
The minister added that despite the concerns, the ministry fully supported the objectives of the fiscal consolidation “as a catalyst to financial sustainability in the long run”. She said in terms of the coming financial years the ministry aimed to be “guided by concerns of value for money, working within the limited means at our disposal by setting core priorities on key result areas, promoting public private partnerships and stepping up efficiency measures.”
She said ministerial staff had been urged do “more with less” and a number of strategies would be implemented, including bringing on board strict efficiency measures and improving payroll administration within the ministry.
The ministry has also reduced and ceased “non-productive expenditures” including travel allowances, furniture procurement and overtime, and recruitment is carefully monitored.
Hanse-Himarwa said the ministry employed one of the largest numbers of public servants, with a total staff complement of more than 45 000, out of which 41 735 positions are filled.
She added that the ministry employed 27 886 teachers at 1 796 schools.
This year, the ministry's budget was reduced by 3%, from more than N$12 billion in the 2016/17 financial year to N$11 975 672 000 for the coming financial year.
Of this amount, 85% or more than N$10 billion goes toward staff expenses, including salaries, pensions and other benefits.
JANA-MARI SMITH
“It is a fact that the downward revision of the 2017/18 budget is negatively impacting the mandate of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture as it will affect implementation of our programmes across the board,” Minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said this week.
She added that the ministry foresaw “serious implications” in the roll-out of the revised grade eight curriculum this year and the revised grade nine curriculum next year “due to very limited funding, especially in the area of textbook procurement and continuous professional development.”
She said the cuts significantly reduced the universal primary and secondary education grants per child, and the ministry was worried about the impact on the provision of textbooks and other learning materials, as well as teacher training.
“A negative impact on learner outcomes is anticipated for the 2017 academic year due to the reduction in the budget allocation for text books, school stationery and teaching aids.”
She said the desired ratio of one textbook per learner “will not be achieved with the insufficient resource allocation”.
Another area of concern, which the ministry said required further consultation with the Ministry of Finance for additional budget allocation, is hostel accommodation for students.
“During 2016, a total number of 63 988 learners across the country were accommodated in 226 primary and secondary boarding schools. I must however point out that the implications of the budget cuts are worrying for the hostel boarders …” she said.
The minister also referred to the introduction of new technical and vocational subjects, in line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which required “a lot of resources and expertise which is costly.”
She explained that education budget cuts would also “negatively affect the implementation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme, especially the roll-out of ICT equipment to educational institutions, support and maintenance of ageing equipment” and more.
The minister added that despite the concerns, the ministry fully supported the objectives of the fiscal consolidation “as a catalyst to financial sustainability in the long run”. She said in terms of the coming financial years the ministry aimed to be “guided by concerns of value for money, working within the limited means at our disposal by setting core priorities on key result areas, promoting public private partnerships and stepping up efficiency measures.”
She said ministerial staff had been urged do “more with less” and a number of strategies would be implemented, including bringing on board strict efficiency measures and improving payroll administration within the ministry.
The ministry has also reduced and ceased “non-productive expenditures” including travel allowances, furniture procurement and overtime, and recruitment is carefully monitored.
Hanse-Himarwa said the ministry employed one of the largest numbers of public servants, with a total staff complement of more than 45 000, out of which 41 735 positions are filled.
She added that the ministry employed 27 886 teachers at 1 796 schools.
This year, the ministry's budget was reduced by 3%, from more than N$12 billion in the 2016/17 financial year to N$11 975 672 000 for the coming financial year.
Of this amount, 85% or more than N$10 billion goes toward staff expenses, including salaries, pensions and other benefits.
JANA-MARI SMITH
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article