The National Treasury would make no additional allocations to the Human Resource Development for South Africa (HRD-SA) strategy, which was on schedule to be implemented on April 1, this year.

The HRD-SA strategy from 2009 to 2014 was being implemented to ensure the coordination and integration of the provision of scarce and critical skills in the country and was being managed by the Department of Education (DoE).

Government's Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa) would eventually also be incorporated into the HRD-SA.

With the release of the 2009 Budget, the National Treasury said that it would not offer additional support for the strategy this year, noting that the DoE would have to fund any additional expenses under its own operational budget.

The DoE would continue undertaking stakeholder consultation with regard to the strategy until the 2009/10 financial year, while Jipsa would only be incorporated under the HRD-SA in March 2010.

EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Meanwhile, education and skills development would remain a priority for government, with the National Treasury allocating funds for infrastructure and other services.

A R1-billion allocation for the upgrade or construction of school infrastructure and facilities, the installation of libraries and laboratories and for improved maintenance had been provided for under the infrastructure grant to provinces.

A further R500-million had been set aside for the provision of classroom space for new Grade R learners and R280-million had been allocated to the technical secondary schools recapitalisation grant for equipment and the upgrade or construction of facilities.

The national school nutrition programme grant had also received a R4-billion boost.

In addition, the National Treasury announced that it had allocated R31-million for the establishment of a National Education Evaluation Unit, which would enhance the performance of schools and teachers.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry noted that business welcomed the establishment of agencies that would ensure quality service provision in the education sector.