The National School of Government is currently experiencing a loss of over R10 million per month due to the COVID-19 national lockdown, according to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration.
This came to the fore in Parliament this week after the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration received briefings from the Public Service Commission and the National School of Government on their 2019/2024 strategic and annual performance plans for the 2020/2021 financial year.
The committee said that it was deeply concerned over the sustainability of the National School of Government as contact classes had to be suspended due to lockdown, leading to a loss of R10.5 million per month.
The committee also heard that the school generates 80% of its income from the intake of students who register for various programmes that are offered by the school.
However, the committee said it was pleased to hear that the school had a long-term strategy for sustainability which included e-learning, a change in price modalities and an extension of its courses to other markets such as Parliament and the state-owned enterprises.
The National School of Government plays a significant role in overseeing the professional common purpose in addressing the systemic challenges of Public Service delivery, through the learning and development of public officials.
The school trains about 4 000 public servants annually at its premises in Sunnyside, Pretoria and 40 000 in external venues in other cities nationwide.
Face-to-face training was suspended last month in light of the national
lockdown and will enhance online training during this period.
The Public Service Commission reported that, although the
commission was not listed as an essential service provider according to the
lockdown regulations, however, the Public Service Commission Corruption Hotline
remains as an essential service, and its operation needs to continue.
It also reported about the four vacant positions of commissioners that
exist, and that must be filled, three at provincial level and one at national
level.
(Compiled by Inside Politics staff)
