Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698746952720.pdf (Namibia)
Budget Motivation Statement VOTE 10 201 7/1 8 - 201 9/20 REPUBLIC Of NAMIBIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE (MoEAC) Tabled in the National Assembly By Honourable Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, MP Minister of Education, Arts and Culture REPUBLICOF NAMIBIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE (MoEAC) Hon.

Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, MP Min Education, Arts and Cui Hon.
Anna Nghipondoka, MP Arts and Cui Deputy IV,inister of Education, Page 1 of 24 Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members of this August House, 1.

I am privileged to present to you my Motivational Statement the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture for Vote 10 of (MoEAC) for the financial years 2017/18 to 2019/20.

I will do this against the backdrop of achievements, challenges and recommendations emanating from the 2016/17 financial year which just ended.

2.
2.

Having said this, let me first of all ex1'en~mywarmest appreciation to my Deputy Minister, my Permanent Secretary the Ministry of Education, Arts and and my entire team at Culture for their support, dedication and hard work.
I also would like to extend my gratitude to the Honourable Minister and Honourable Deputy Minister of Finance as well as your Permanent Secretary and your entire staff for your usual support and for your intensive efforts during }he consultation process that resulted in the successful finalization of our budget.

3.
3.

The consultation processes were indeed participatory and ensured that no-one was left out, in the spirit of Harambee, even though our initial expectations were not met with the allocations we have received.

We congratulate you whole heartedly and pledge our full support to ensure prudent financial management and transparency in the conduct of our business.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members, 4.
Allow me to state the following which may seem to be obvious facts but which often are overlooked when the public judges our performance: that the Ministry- a) Hostsone if not the largest number of the public servants with a total establishment of Forty Five Thousand One Hundred and Eighty Three (45 183).
Out of this, a total of Page 2 of 24 Forty One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Five (41, 735) positions are filled, of which Twenty EightThousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Eight (28, 688) are teaching staff.

(Source:MoEAC, HRStatistics,February 2017).

b) Has remained the biggest Vote in terms of the national budget, currently at 21% and that of the GOP.
c) Its success requires full and active participation and ownership by all stakeholders due to its msttsectorcl nature and, lack of this, makes the Ministry fall short of its potential achievements.

This is evident from our past performances where some stakeholder contributions and participation have been very slow and low.

d) Serves as the second home for the socialization and upbringing of our children, meaning second to the parents.
Thusmy continuous plea to our parents and guardians to be our critical partners in the education of our future leaders.

I must point out that the extent and nature of our collaboration with parents will determine the pace and future prospects of our children as future and current leaders, managers and entrepreneurs, and responsible, progressivecitizens in general.

Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, 5.


Our vision and missionas revised in 2015, is a reflection of our focus in terms of our contribution to societal transformation, as our business is to deal with changing the minds, hearts, attitudes and perception of our people, particularly the school going population.

Our collective slogan is therefor to deliver with speed for the prosperity of all Namibians.

Honourable Chairperson 6.


Having highlighted the above, allow me to indicate that the achievements and challenges of our 2016/17 financial year are contained in our accountability and annual reports which Poge 3 of 24 10.

We have taken cognizance of the fact the public is concerned about education outcomes and we are happy that with the formulation of the NDP5 through which we should be able to employ strategies that will enable us to achieve tangible resultsin the medium term, that 11.
Our line of thinking for the coming financial years is to be guided by concerns of value for money, working within the limited means at our disposal by setting core priorities on key public private partnership and result areas, promote stepping up efficiency measures.

Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, .. and Administration, 12.
The budget of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is the following six programmes, which sub-divided amongst are implemented through its three departments namely, and Finance Information, Adult and Lifelong Learning, Arts and Culture: a) Policy Coordination and support Services, b) Preprimary Education, c) Primary Education, d) Secondary Education, e) Information, Adult and Lifelong Learning, Arts and Culture, Formal Education f) HIV/AIDS Management Unit (HAMU).

13.
Having highlighted the above, allow me to present to you the 2017/2018 budget for the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture as expressed in its Medium Term Plan and focusing on our sixkey programmes as follows: 13.1 The overall budget ceiling of the Ministry of Educotioo, Arts and Culture has been reduced by 3%,from a Twelve billion, three hundred twenty two million, six hundred seventy four thousand Namibia Dollars (N$12 322 674 000) in the 2016/17 Page 5 of 24 will be shared with various stakeholders through the relevant administrative channels and as such I will be brief.
We have, however, incorporated some initiatives in the NDP5and in our draft Strategic Plan for 2017/18 - 2021/22 in order to address that we encountered while some of implementing our annual plan for 2016/17 Financial year.
the challenges Honourable members, 7. twenty six hundred two million, It is imperative to mention that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture was allocated a total of Twelve billion, three hundred four seventy thousand Namibia Dollars (N$12 322 674 000) in the 2016/17 financial year of which, Eleven billion, seven hundred ninety nine million, six hundred sixteen thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 11 799, 616 000) and Five hundred twenty three million, fifty eight thousand Namibia Dollars ( N$ 523 058 000) was allocated to the Operational and Development budget lines, respectively for the implementation of our various programmes as I will discussherein after, 8.
According to our February 2016 15th School Day statistics, the Ministry has recorded a total of Seven hundred and (707, 878) seven thousand, eight hundred seventy eight learners which fifty eight thousand, eight hundred forty three (358, 843) females and Three hundred, forty nine thousand and thirty five (349, 035) males, comprises Three hundred a total eight hundred eighty 9.
Still using February 2016 15th School Day statistics, we have teaching staff of Twenty seven also recorded thousand, six (27, 886) which comprises Eighteen thousand, one hundred and forty (18, 140) and Nine thousand, seven hundred forty six (9,746) female and male teaching staff respectively, deployed in One thousand seven hundred ninety six (1 796) schools country wide.
Poge 4 of 24 financial year, to Eleven billion, nine hundred seventy five million, six hundred seventy two thousand Namibia Dollars (NSll 975672 000) in 2017/18 financial year.
Table 1: Estimated Budget Allocation, 2016/17 - 2019/20 MTEF :2016/17 ; 2017/18 \ 2018/19 12019/20 N$'OOO 11 799 616 11390 981 Operational Development 523 058 Total 584 691 12322 674 11 975 672 11 130583 874857 12005440 11353 194 833582 12 186 776 13.2 It is evident from the breakdown above that a slight increase of 12% is observed for the development budget from Five hundred twenty three million, fifty eight thousand in 2016/17 to a Five Namibia Dollars (NS523 058 000) hundred eighty four million, six hundred ninety one thousand in the 2017/18 financial Namibia Dollars (NS584 691 000) from the year.
Development budget ceiling of One billion, sixty two million, seven hundred, eighty six thousand Namibia dollars (NS 1 062 786 000) communicated during the 2016/17 - 2018/19 Medium Term Expenditure Framework.
This is however a massive budget cut 13.3 The Operational Budget ceiling on the other hand has been reduced from an Eleven billion, seven hundred ninety nine million, six hundred sixteen thousand Namibia Dollars in the 2016/17 financial year to Eleven (NSll 799616000) three hundred ninety million, nine hundred eighty billion, in the one thousand Namibia 2017/18 financial year.
dollars (NS 11 390 981 000) the total budget ceiling of Eleven 13.4 Thus in summary, of five milliQ'!, six hundred billion, nine hundred seventy two thousand Namibia Dollars (NS 11 975 672 000) due for execution in the 2017/18 financial year: seventy 13.4(a).
Eighty five percent (85%), which is Ten billion" two hundred, and three million, six hundred fifty thousand Namibia Dollars (NS 10 203 650 000), are allocated Page 6 of 24 towards the payment (remuneration, GIPF and Other Conditions of Service), related expenditures of staff 13.4(b).

Five percent (5%) namely five hundred and eighty four million, ninety Dollars (N$584 691 000) is for infrastructure development, thousand Namibia six hundred one 13.4(c).
The ten percent (10%) remaining is a balance of One billion, one hundred eighty seven million, three hundred thirty one thousand Namibian dollars (N$ 1 187 331 000) for allocation to other priority areas, which is One billion, five hundred thirty one million, nine hundred fourteen thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 1 531 914 000) less than what was allocated for non-personnel and infrastructure related expenditures in the 2016/17 financial year.
Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, 13.5 The detailed descriptions of the programmes are covered in the 2017/18 - 2019/20 Medium Term Expenditure Framework book (page 95) and issummarized as follows: Table 2: 2017/18 - 2019/20 Budget Allocations per Programme NS'OOO Pro ramme i 2017/18 I 2018/19 ' 2019/20 Policy Coordination Support Services and 218503 258246 266493 Pre-PrimaryEducation 167939 172980 178 167 Primary Education 7729 616 7804371 7978889 Secondary Education 3434778 3308846 3323462 Information, Adults, Life Long Learning, Arts and 422748 Culture 458845 437548 Poge 7 of 24 Pro ramme HIV/AIDS TOTAL :2017/18 I 2018/19 I 2019/20 2088 2 152 2217 11 975672 12005440 1286776 13.5(A).
Programme 1: Policy Coordination and Support Services development, A(l).

ThisProgramme oversees the strategic planning processes the national goals and of the Ministry and ensures that objectives are aligned to the education section, through research, legislative and the coordination of educational planning, policy implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
Equally important, it ensures that measures, guidelines and standards are in place for effective co-ordination and standards are set for the provision of support services.

The programme ICT in technological'" innovations are education to ensure that mainstreamed in education improved education outcomes.
also promotes the integration of programme for allocation we This budget this programme is Two hundred eighteen million, five hundred and three thousand Namibia Dollars (N$218 503 000) for the financial year 2017/18.

are motivating for Honourable Members, A(2).

As part of our achievements under this programme, the Ministry has ensured that NDP5 contains core strategies to strengthen the curriculum reform process and its alignment to our global and continental commitments.
Thiswill also be reflected in our Strategic Plan for 2017/18 to 2021/22.

A(3) With regards to specific programmes it is important to note ICT programme of the Ministry was embedded as a that cross-cutting strategy in NDP5 and the new Strategic Plan for the Ministry.

Page 8 of 24 A(4).
Page 8 of 24 A(4).

With decentralization being a major game changer in NDP5, the Ministry has a functional Decentralisation Committee which has conducted devolution readiness assessment for six Regional Councils which are; Erongo, Khomas, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East and Zambezi.

A(5).
A(5).

On a continental level, the Ministry has also honoured the implementation of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa referred to as CESA 16-25, by setting up the multisectoral committee which submitted the Annual Report to the Africa Union Commission (AUC) in October 2016.

Namibia thus appears for the first time in the Report of Annual Co.ntinental ~tt¥ffteS, RACA 2016, which has been published by AUC.

A(6).
A(6).

The Programme Policy Coordination has also received technical and financial support from UNICEFand UNESCO during the financial year to strengthen capacity building and the production of research and study reports which the are due to be launched in 2017/18 in particular production of Education Management Information System, (EMIS2015)and 15TH School Day Statisticsfor 2016.

A(7).
A(7).

With regards to our quest for accountability and efficient service delivery, the Ministry has launched its Customer Service Charter in February 2017 and it is being monitored for by all departments and regional directora tes.

implementation Honourable Chairperson, A(8).

The major challenges nonetheless are that- I.


The budget cuts will negatively affect the implementation to the ICT programme, especially the roll out of of equipment maintenance educational training of educators and staff including training on the ICT institutions, support and schools, equipment institutions and offices as well as the ICTskills educational ageing of in Page 9 of 24 school administration system.
The time-tabling internet and Broadband connectivity has absence of equally limited the pace of implementation of the JeT in schools and educational institutions.

and II.

Deployment of leT to schools is still a difficult process because most of the schools are not electrified in rural areas and low internet connectivity remains a challenge.

III.
III.

Provision of physical infrastructure and renovation of existing ones to address space shortage and create a for learning, understaffing and conducive environment delay in the approval of the structure due to budgetary constraints across the board also remain a challenge, IV.

This Programme coordinates education decentralization and it is also important that our efforts to devolve will not gain maximum benefits unless other sectors come on board in a timely fashion.

to point out 13.5(8).


Programme 2: Pre-primary Education 8(1).

Pre-primary education provides learning tind educational activities with a holistic approach to support children's early emotional development and introduces young children to organized instruction outside of the family context.

cognitive, physicol.

social and 8(2).


The educational properties of pre-primary education are characterized by stimulation and interaction with peers through which children improve their use and educators, of language and social skillsand to develop logical and reasoning skills.

8(3).

Pre-primary Education remains the foundation of all education success and achievements.

Enrolment in the pre-primary grade increased from 32 732learners in 2015 to 37 298 in 2016.
Thisexpansion means that this year (2017) roughly half the learners that entered Grade 1 would have been in pre- primary classes.

Page 10 of 24 An amount of One sixty seven million, nine hundred thirty nine thousand Namibia Dollars (NS167 939 000) isallocated to pre-primary education programme.

hundred 13.5(C).

Programme 3: Primary Education C(l).


ThisProgramme develops essential literacy, numeracy and life skills,aimed at establishing self-confidence and self- in order to worth through personal and social development promote the growth and development of each learner as an individual and as a member of the school and society.

C(2).
C(2).

Primary education establishes a solid foundation for learning and understanding core areas of knowledge and preparing for junior secondary personal development education and by the end of the primary phase, learners will have irreversible literacy and numeracy skillsand have developed learning skillsand basic knowledge in all the key learning areas.

C(3).

Enrolment in primary education increased from 442 729 in 2015 to 499 455 in 2016.
In Primary Education; teaching, learning and assessmentcater for by about 59 % of the operational budget.

An amount of Seven billion, seven hundred twenty nine million, six hundred sixteen thousand Namibia Dollars (NS7 729 616 000) to the primary education programme.

is allocated 13.5(0).

Programme 4: Secondary Education 0(1).

Thisprogramme extends the learners' knowledge and skills and strengthens their values and attitudes while preparing learners for further education, training and young adult life.
It provides learning opportunities for learners to acquire necessary the development of the self and the nation; and build a foundation for technological and industrial development knowledge, skills and attitudes for 0(2).

Enrolment in secondary level increased from 195 726 in 2015 to 208 423 in 2016 and is anticipated to increase to Page 11 of 24 215000 in 2017 utilizing 30 % of the budget.

Resultsat Junior Secondary Certificate levels improved from a pass rate of 54.3%in 2015 to 55.7%in 2016.

0(3).
0(3).

On the Harambee Prosperity Plan targets the following have been achieved: I.

The Ministry recorded 10 learners achieving 24 points score and above in six subjects surpassingthe target of 48%.

50% of Grade II.

Ministry also recorded an increase of 31% grade 12 learners who obtained 25 points and above in SIX subjects surpassing30%target.

0(4).
0(4).

Overall, the National Grade 12 Examinations for 2016, produced over 6 000 learners who achieved a D in English and four other subjects with 25 points in making them eligible for admission to Tertiary Institutions of Higher Learning.

,.. An amount of Three billion, four hundred thirty four million, seven hundred seventy thousand Namibia Dollars (NS3, 434, 778, 000) has been allocated for the continuous implementation of the secondary education programme.

eight Honorable Chairperson 0(5).


The above programmes undertook policy reforms to improve education and I would like to highlight the few key ones: I.

The Education Act, 2001 (Act NO.16of 2001), has been revised through a wide consultative process to become the new legislation of education in line with global trends and local paradigm shifts.

II.
II.

Compulsory fees or contribution to primary education were abolished in 2013 in terms of policy of Access to Universal Primary Education, therefore contributing to the high enrolment in schools in primary phase; as part the abolished intervention.

Equally, of this policy Page 12 of 24 to relief secondary education fees in 2016 brought many parents who could not afford such payments.

III.
III.

The contribution made through the School Feeding Program towards our Pillar of access cannot be underestimated especially during these times when we are still fighting to reduce hunger and poverty.

The National School Feeding Programme continues to support more than 320 000 learners and plans are underway to finalise the School Feeding Policy towards diversification and to boost local economy by sourcing food items from local producers.

IV.
IV.

Seriousimplications are also foreseen in the roll-out of the the revised curriculum for Grade 8 and 9, implementation of which has commenced in the 2017 academic year for Grade 8 and 2018, for Grade 9, due to very limited funding especially in the area of textbook procurement professional development.
continuous and .. v. Based on the outcomes of 2011 Education Conference and as directed by the Cabinet, Technical Subjects have been introduced in our quest to upscale technical and vocational skillsof our people (Harambee Prosperity Plan).Thisrequires a lot of resourcesand expertise which are costly.

VI.

The Ministry funds the implementation of the Diploma in Junior Primary Education In-Service Programme, in collaboration with the University of Namibia.
This programme targets the unqualified and under qualified teachers teaching in pre-primary and junior primary phase.

In terms of challenges, long distances to educational institutionsespecially in marginalised communities make it difficult for young people to access education, while high school dropouts are a pertinent problem in the sector.

VII.

VIII.
VII.

VIII.

The Provision of education facilities, textbooks, other learning materials and funding towards continuous Poqe 13 of 24 professional development challenge due to budget of limitations.

teachers remain a 13.5(E).Programme 5: Information, Adult and Life-Long Learning, Arts and Culture E(l).
This Programme is composed of four main elements Libraries, Adult Education and Lifelong learning, Arts and Culture to address equitable access to knowledge, information and lifelong learning as well as to identify, develop and promote the creative talents and artistic skills of Namibians for-the pufpose of employment, and identity.

The following achievements and challenges: income generation, innovation, design and nurturing of pride the main have been E(2).

Libraries - I.
Libraries - I.

(2016/17) Two hundred seven thousand, Librariesrecorded One Million, one hundred four thousand, six hundred forty four (1, 104 644) visitsfrorn'the members of the public (Community, National and Special libraries) during 2016/1 7 compared to Seven hundred six thousand, In the seven hundred eighty five (706 785) visitsin 2015/16.
same year five hundred and nineteen (207 519) members of the public accessed ICT through community libraries, National and Special libraries, compared to One hundred forty eight thousand, six hundred and thirty nine (148 639) in 2015/16.

This increase is a big achievement.

The majority of Namibians do not have access to ICT unless they visit libraries.

II.
II.

A total number of eight thousand nine hundred fifty six (8 956)community members and learners were reached by Mobile Libraries in Omaheke, Ohangwena, Khomas and Kavango East.

This is part of the Ministry's effort to take information and learning resources to the people.

iii.

The Libraries and Archives directorate is characterized by a turn-over because qualified personnel are not high staff Page 14 of 24 available and those in the sector are attracted by better packages elsewhere.
Thishas an effect on the effectiveness of the Record Management Accountability the Effective Governance Pillar of the Harambee Prosperity Plan and an integral part of transparency in government.

in O/M/ »Js which is part of under and Transparency component IV.

Furthermore, it should be noted that most of the libraries and equipment are old and or outdated and have not been renovated or replaced due to budgetary constraints.

E(3).

Adult Education - I.


The family literacy programme has been implemented in 692Schoolsand isaimed at preparing Grade 1 learnerswith the full participation of parents.

This programme has the to serve as one of the key game changers for potential improved community involvement.

education through quality II.

A total number of 16227 adult learners successfully completed basic and post basic literacy programmes.
The programme makes a significant contribution towards improving literacy rates in the country.

E(4).

Arts and Culture - I.

The review process of the National Heritage Act No.

27 of 2004was completed.

Subsequently, consultations were held with relevant stakeholders as national, regional and local levels.

This will to provide for the protection and conservation of places and objects of heritage of significance and the registration of such places and objects.

further enhance Namibia's capacity II.


By the end of 2016/17 financial year, 36 549 Historical National documents were digitized and are now accessible to the public.

III.

The ministry under this project has also been able to build and communities, practitioners capacity cultural of Page 15 of 24 promoters in inventorying of elements.

Intangible Cultural Heritage IV.


A comprehensive process has commenced to prepare the sector to work on a nomination dossier in order to submit a request to UNESCOto consider Etosha Salt Pan as a World Heritage Site adding recognized Namibian World Heritage Sites namely; the Namib Sandsea and Twyfelfontein.
to the two already has created partnerships v. Within the spirit of the Public Private Partnerships (PPPs),the the positive sector development of an Arts and Culture Statisticsframework for development.

Thistool in ascertaining the sector's contribution to GDP and livelihoods.
In terms of challenges the Arts and Culture sector was integrated into the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture at the Ministry is championing a decentralization of functions to the Regional Councils, with regional structures not fully aligned.

stage when is critical critical for VI.

.. An amount of Four hundred hundred forty eight thousand motivated Learning, Arts and Culture programmes.

twenty two million, seven (N$422 748 000) is being Lifelong Information, Adult Education, for 13.5(F).
Programme 6: HIV/ Aids Management Unit (HAMU) F(l).

The principal objective of this program ismainly to promote health and wellness education, reduce the incidences of HIV transmission,mitigating its social and economic impacts levels.

During the 2016/17 on the education system at all various programme financial interventions at national, regional and school levels such as: carried year, the out i.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Health and Social Services which resulted on the establishment of the National School Health Task Force, responsible for coordinating the implementation of school health programmes for in and out of school youth.

ii.
ii.

Awareness Raising programmes on Eastern and Southern a quality (ESA) Commitment of delivering Africa Page 16 of 24 Comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health have been implemented in the country at various levels.

Sexuality Education and IV.

iii.

Furthermore, Life-Skills school to curriculum has been incorporate Comprehensive Sexuality reviewed Education and Sexual Reproductive Health services for learners.
In an effort to support young vulnerable girls to remain in school until they complete their basic education, a total number of 2000 orphans and vulnerable girls have been toiletries provided with scholarships (school uniforms, including sanitary products) through Forum for African Women Educationist Namibia (FAWENA), under my Chairmanship.

non-governmental organisation.

FAWENA is a F(2).

The following are some challenges that impacted on the effectiveness of overall execution of programmes: I.
Although capacity building of Life-Skillsteachers on HIV and Comprehensive Sexuality Education is improving, unintended pregnancy incidences among adolescents are on the increase.

Thisis an indication that adolescents and young people are at risk of contracting HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases.

II.

Lack or insufficient knowledge on Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Sexual Reproductive Health services among parents, and individuals in various institutions is a concern.
Thisis a clear indication that capacity building and carefully interventions should be strengthened designed to address the knowledge gaps, imbalance on the Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the society while raising awareness on Comprehensive Sexuality Education among families, communities, churches and schools.

III.

Harmful cultural practices, especially to young girlsin some pockets of the Namibian society defeats the objectives of Comprehensive Sexuality Education e.g.
child marriages, Page 17 of 24 assignment of children to take on adult taking care of families or animals.

responsibilities, In light of the above a motivation for Two million, eighty eight thousand Namibian Dollors (N$2 088 000) is being made.
Hounourable Chairperson, Honourable Members, G. that the downward revision of the 2017/18 It is a fact budget is negatively impacting the mandate of Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture as it will affect implementation of our programme across the board as summarized as follows: G(l).
The universal Primary and Secondary Education Grants per leaner are reduced significantly while the allocation towards subsidies to Non-governmental organizations and State Owned enterprises (SOE's),particularly the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), a significant role player in the open distance learning in Namibia, will merely cover staff related expenditures such as remuneration and other benefits for the 2017/18 financial year.
G(2).A negative impact on learner outcomes is anticipated for the 2017 academic year due to the reduction in the budget allocation for textbooks, school stationeries and teaching aids.

The desired ratio of 1:1 textbook to learner will not be achieved with the insufficient resource allocation.

G(3).

During 2016, a total number of 63 988 learners across the in 226 Primary and country were accommodated I must however.

point out Secondary Boarding Schools.


Honourable members, that the implications of the budget cuts, are worrying for the hostel boarders and these require consultation with the Ministry of Finance for further additional budget allocations during the mid-term review.

Honorable Chairperson, Honorable Members H).


In spite of the above negative effects of the budget cuts, I as Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, together with my Page 18 of 24 team, fully support the objective of FiscalConsolidation as a catalyst to financial sustainability in the long run.
We have therefor urged all our staff members and programme managers as well as recipients of government grant-in-aid to strive towards becoming more innovative and creative in "doing more with less" while placing significant value of matters of Accountability and Tranparency as good governance principles.
In this regard, the Ministry is in the process of concluding strict our Public Expenditure Review to ensure that efficiency measures are brought on board and that every cent be accounted for with value addition.

As I indicated before our needs are ever on the increase and in the midst of dwindling resources,we need to explore public private partnership for sustainable development.
The Ministry has also embarked upon a Payroll Verification process for teaching staff, carried out during October 2016 and the exercise will be extended to all staff members during the 2017/18 financial year.

This is aiming at improving the overall payroll administration within the Ministry and eliminate the riskof possible misappropriation of funds.

I).

J).

infrastructure development, K).


Partnershipswith the private sector, especially in the area teacher education and of systems efficiency are welcome to bridge the current funding as well the technical capacity gaps in the social sector.

L).
L).

non-productive the Ministry has reduced and in some In the meantime, expenditures such as cases ceased travelling allowances, furniture procurement and overtime and the recruitment process isvery closely monitored, firstly to ensure that only very critical and budgeted vacancies are filled and secondly to ensure that the wage bill, that is taking 85% of the Ministerial budget allocation is not expanded.

M).
M).

I am also confident that with the new financial management reforms such as the Public Procurement Act, Page 19 of 24 regional and the local economic climate, 15 (Act 15 of 2015) and the projected-recovery global, could be improvement mid-year, releasing additional the most critical areas of basic education provision.

the there in allocative efficiencies by the funding to cover shortfalls in of N).
Improvement in capital project management especially during the feasibility and documentation stages will also receive attention during the 2017/18 financial year to ensure that more of the budgeted funds is geared towards construction of the facilities.

The Ministry has established a Capital Project Monitoring team which meets regularly and are in regular consultation with the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure that procedures are followed, but most importantly that delays are reduced at all costs.
In conclusion, Honourable Chairperson and the Whole house Committee members 0).

Pl.

It is worth noting that the Ministry is in .the process of finalising its Annual Plan for 2017/18 bearing in mind its current state of decentralisation and plans to devolve, therefore adjustments are being effected to its Strategic Plan and MTEFto take into consideration new challenges and alignment of the Plansto the Performance Agreement of myself as the Minister.
Thiswill clearly outline structural and policy reforms to be undertaken and Public Private Sector frameworks over the MTEFperiod, to intensify its planned innovative approaches as part of its turnaround strategy to ensure that Education 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals is realised.
this juncture, extend my heartfelt I would like to, at appreciation to His Excellency, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of for providing the Republic of Namibia, leadership, continued guidance and diligent exceptional support as well as his hands-on approach in leading the Nation towards success and prosperlty.

Q).
Q).

It is now my humble request that this August house discuss and approve Vote 10 to the value of Eleven biUion, nine two hundred seventy five million, six hundred seventy Page 20 of 24 thousand Namibia Dollars (NS 11 975 672 000) due for execution in the 2017/18 financial year.

I thank you Honourable Chairperson and the Whole House Committee members and count on your support for the benefit of the Namibian Child.
Page 21 of 24 u Q CD (j) I'V I'V o I'V A REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA P/Bag 13186, Windhoek Tel: +26461 2933111 Website: www.moe.gov.na Facebook: Ministry of Education,Arts and Culture Namibia