The Department has consistently demonstrated that it can spend, to a great degree, its budget allocation according to spending targets. However, even though the Department has proven that it can spend its budget; this is not quite matched in achievement of its performance targets. The three priority domains of the Department are research and development, human capital development, and infrastructure. In all these domains the Department and its entities has shown steady progress. However, given its resources, the rate of progress within these priority domains may not be at the desired level. Furthermore, the biggest threat to the objectives of the Department is the poor mathematics and science performance by South African scholars and the low throughput rate to postgraduate study. In response to the latter, the NRF has commissioned an investigation into why fewer black students continue through to postgraduate level. The results of which will hopefully inform future policy geared to transforming the science and technology sector of South Africa.