Governance challenges in KZN's Department of Education revealed

THE Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) has accused the cash-strapped KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education of refusing to take advice and recommendations made by the auditors to help the department improve its financial standing.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

Recently, AGSA staff briefed the members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) at the provincial legislature.

During the briefing, the AGSA revealed that among the challenges, is that the Department of Education is not receptive to the advice and recommendations provided. It was reported that the department is spending 100% of its budget on certain functions without finalising those tasks.

The AGSA also highlighted that some school building projects within the department were plagued by poor workmanship, with some constructions being so poorly executed that they were deemed unsafe for learners.

The department is currently facing severe financial difficulties due to budget cuts imposed by the national government and an unfunded wage agreement. It has emerged that some special needs schools are on the verge of closing down after not being allocated funding by the department.