Department of Basic Education finalises terms of reference for task team to investigate allegations of selling of posts

The Department of Basic Education has finalised the terms of reference for the task team that will investigate allegations of selling of posts within the sector.

The names of the task team members will be announced once the proposed list has been gazetted.

Minister Angie Motshekga established the team after recent media reports alleging that some posts in the education sector were sold for cash.

The task team will consist of six members, including the chairperson. The task team will include of a lawyer, an independent education expert, a representative from the public service commission, a representative from the Justice Department, a representative from the Department of Basic Education and the chairperson who should be a respected independent expert in the field of education.

TERMS OF REFERENCE:

1. To enquire into and to report to the Minister of Basic Education (the Minister) on -

(a) all facets of the allegations reported in the media in regard to the alleged irregular appointment of educators at schools; and

(b) the role played in these alleged irregular appointments, whether directly or indirectly and whether by act or omission, by -

(i) any union and/or any member or members and/or any official or officials of any such a union; and/or

(ii) any official or officials of any provincial education department; and/or

(iii) any school governing body and/or any member or members of such a school governing body, and/or any association of school governing bodies and/or any member or members of such an association; and/or

(iv) any organisation, whether an education stakeholder or not; and/or

(v) any individual or individuals,

 and to make recommendations to the Minister on how these alleged allegations should be addressed; and

(c) the challenges pertaining to the advertising and the filling of posts and on any possible legislative changes that may be required to improve the existing legislative provisions relating to the advertising and the filling of posts.

2. To advise the Minister on the appointment and placement policies, applicable to educators and other members of staff at schools, in existence in the National Department of Basic Education and in provincial education departments, the implementation of such policies and whether such policies require review and/or amendment.

3. To refer any activities identified during, and flowing from, its investigation -

(a) which indicate that criminal offences have been committed to the South African Police Service; and

(b) which indicate that disciplinary action should be instituted against any official or officials of the Department of Basic Education or of any provincial education department to the appropriate authority; and

(c) to provide the Minister with interim reports in this regard.

4. To conclude its investigation within 120 days from the date of its appointment or within such an extended period as the Minister may determine at the request of the Task Team.

5. To advise and to request the Minister, during the course of its investigation, to extend its terms of reference, should circumstances so require.

Statement issued by Elijah Mhlanga, Department of Basic Education, June 6 2014

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