The DA in the Western Cape calls on the national departments of Social Development (DSD) and Basic Education (DBE) to extend the time for transfer of the Early Childhood Development competency from DSD to DBE beyond the current deadline of April 2021. This will allow provincial governments, including the Western Cape, time to properly consult the ECD sector.
MPP Bosman says: “As Chairperson for the provincial committee on Social Development, it is my main concern that any national decision dealing with our vitally important ECD sector does not negatively impact the Western Cape’s support to individual ECD centres. For that reason, I welcome the Western Cape’s preparedness, but remain deeply disturbed that national government has not provided a sufficient timeframe for provinces to consult with our ECD sectors.
I have therefore written to Ministers Zulu and Motshekga, reiterating the importance of consultation with ECD stakeholders on such a major institutional decision that has direct implications for operations, and one that will require a budget transfer of R419-million from Social Development to Education in the Western Cape. Given that we are in the midst of a pandemic and must constantly innovate and evaluate our priorities, such a far reaching decision cannot be taken lightly and without full cooperation of ECD centres themselves.
In spite of national government’s irrational haste and poor planning, we are assured that the province will continue providing services to ECDs, so long as the existing contracts are honoured and form part of the proposed transfer. A variety of ongoing engagements between provincial DSD and Education take place in this regard, including a formal organisational design process.”
