In reply to a DA Parliamentary question, Minister Motshekga discloses that over R22 million was spent on the March 2015 National Teacher Awards (NTA) ceremony, held at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

These awards recognise teachers whose ability and commitment makes a difference to the lives of thousands of young South Africans. This is a richly deserved recognition.

But an astonishing R6.5 million expenditure over and above the original approved budget for the event, is an unacceptably extravagant waste of state resources which resources South African schools desperately need instead. This over-expenditure could have bought approximately 23 600 maths textbooks, 43 000 school chairs or 11 200 school desks.

According to the Parliamentary reply, the money was spent on “build-up process” costs, including transportation, accommodation, adjudication training and provincial ceremonies.

Further costs included transportation, accommodation, catering and prizes for the event itself as well as corporate gifts and television production. Also listed in the response were “advocacy” fees for the national event and travel agency and professional conference organiser fees.

The DA will submit further Parliamentary questions to get more information on:

• Which companies got the tenders for the Awards ceremony;
• A detailed breakdown of expenditure on each line item;
• What items were in the gift bags and whether these items were sponsored or paid for by the Department; and
• What plans are in place to ensure that the original approved budget is adhered to.

Teachers are the backbone of our education system and their efforts and successes must be celebrated. The NTAs are a good opportunity for this but the cost must be brought down and realistic given the already constrained budget for education.

The reason given for the R6.5 million over-expenditure is: “the NTA’s expenditure was higher than the available funds for the period under review”. This answer is wholly inadequate, it is circular logic and it uses the very fact questioned as the answer itself.

However, as we are sure teachers will agree, the many millions, especially in over-expenditure, spent on this one-night-only awards ceremony could be better put to use in upgrading school infrastructure and the provision of much-needed basic learning materials such as textbooks, desks and chairs that will last for years to come.

 

Issued by DA