NCOP Provincial Week
Permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has embarked on a week-long Provincial Week programme to assess access to education and healthcare across the country.
The theme for this biennial event, to be held from 12 to 16 September 2016, is: “Following up on our commitments to make access to education and health care work for all.” The delegates will meet with the Provincial Legislatures, the Local Government Association (SALGA), Premiers, Members of the Executive Councils (MECs), Mayors and other relevant stakeholders. In some provinces, the delegates will be split into groups that will visit various District Municipalities in their respective provinces to follow up on commitments made in the delivery of education and healthcare services to communities.
The delegations will use this opportunity to conduct oversight visits to schools and healthcare facilities to, among others, assess:
- measures in place to ensure education for all;
- effectiveness of the scholar transport system;
- percentage distribution of learners and resources in budget allocations;
- average learner/educator ratios;
- the expansion of youth friendly healthcare services;
- the provision of safe (medical) male circumcision initiatives;
- the hospital revitalisation programme;
The Provincial Week provides an opportunity for the NCOP and Legislatures, to engage directly with citizens on challenges they experience. It further provides an opportunity to receive reports from Government departments and municipalities on progress made regarding service delivery.