Education takes centre stage in Budget speech

By Nomava Nobumba
17 February 2010

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan tabled this year’s budget of R907billion with its big amount going to the most crucial priorities.

When President Jacob Zuma addressed the nation last week,
he said this county’s education need good basic foundation, so Gordahn allocated R165.1 billion.

Gordhan said this year’s budget speech is a clear indication of doing more with less, while ensuring effective service delivery for the people.

“Through government’s efforts to identify savings in all departments, we were able to find R25.6 billion for reallocation to our priorities such as education and health,” said Gordhan.

The minister allocated most of education budget of 165,1 billion to Basic Education with the amount of R127 billion, saying R2.7 billion is for providing literacy and numeracy workbooks from as early as grade three.

Tertiary education got its R23.3 billion with a billion to increase subsidies for higher education.

There is also a R15.1 billion extra for occupation –specific salary dispensation for school and FET colleges educators together with health employees and correctional services workers.