The reply to the first part of the question is yes. The implementation of Operation Funda has been successful. For a school to be registered as a full-time school by the Department of Basic Education, it must meet certain resource-related requirements. Hence, as part of the extension of Operation Funda, there are full-time schools for youth offenders which are now in operation. I will not enumerate them - this record will be made available and members can see for themselves where we are and where we are not.
Furthermore, the department has successfully implemented an e-literacy project in partnership with the Presidential National Commission for a three-year cycle from 2009 to 2012, and has trained 770 offenders, which includes youths and females.
We have registered a total of 33 examination centres for NATFTED programmes and 20 examination centres for the National Certificate: Vocational with the Department of Higher Education and Training on the provision of further education and training programmes.
We have also advertised 19 technical-level educators' posts at the Free State and Northern Cape Tswelopele Correctional Centres. We have also registered 50 offenders on an artisan development programme in partnership with the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, Sasseta. We have registered 15 offenders on accredited brick-laying and plastering programmes at Mafikeng Correctional Centre. So the list continues. You will have the details of that.
The answer to the second part of the question is yes. The process is under way. Currently, the department has reviewed its formal education policy in order to make it compulsory for youth offenders up to the age of 25 to attend school. This will be enacted as soon as the departmental regulations have been approved by Parliament.
Recently a business case on classroom needs was submitted for approval by the commissioner. Should this be successful, more access to educational opportunities will be available to offenders. Some new centres have already been resourced, with funds for the procurement of computers and learner and teacher support materials.
Partnerships with the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training, as well as extended stakeholders, have been established to enhance programme provisioning for offenders. For example, the Bubblegum/Liberty Life Educational Foundation partnership has donated the materials to establish full-time schools in the department. Thank you.
Employment equity targets and details relating thereto
3. Mr M H Mokgobi (ANC) asked the Minister of Correctional Services:
(1) Whether her department has set employment equity targets for all its centres and provinces throughout the country; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether these targets take into consideration the disproportionate location of racial groups in the various provinces; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether any employees or representatives of employees of her department have raised concerns with the use of employment equity targets in any form by her department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether there are any concerns of critical vacancies not being filled for a considerable period of time as a result of her department's employment equity targets in any of its centres; if so, what are the relevant details? CO94E