KZN-DOE NSNP Policy 2011 13/9/P -1-
KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NATIONAL SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMME
DRAFT POLICY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL
NUTRITION PROGRAMME
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GLOSSARY OF TERMS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
2. BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
3. PURPOSE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..…….5
4. SCOPE OF APPLICABILITY………………………………………………………………………………………..…….6
5. LEGISLATIVE MANDATES………………………………………………………………………………………..………….6
6. TARGETING…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….……….8
7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES…………………………………………………………………………..………….8
7.1 School Principal ……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….8
7.2 School Governing Bodies (SGB) …………………………………………………………..…………..9
7.3 Deputy Principal/HOD/NSNP Educator(s) ..…………………………………..………….9
7.4 Nutrition Commitees ……………………………………………………………………………………..………………9
7.5 District Office ………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………10
7.6 Head Office …………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………10
8. PARTICIPATION OF SCHOOLS IN NSNP …………………………………………………..…………….11
9. FEEDING ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………11
10. JOB CREATION PROJECT ……………………………………………………………………………………..…………12
11. FOOD HANDLERS APPOINTMENT …………………………………………………………………………..…….13
12. SELECTION OF SERVICE PROVIDERS: SMME’S …………………………………..………..13
13. LOCAL COOPERATIVES (LC'S)…………………………………………………………………….……….…..15
14. TERMINATION OF SERVICE …………………………………………………………………………………..…..16
14.1 SMME's …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………. 16
14.2 LC's …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….… 17
15. DISPUTES/CONFLICT RESOLUTION…………………………………………………………………….….….17
16. DECENTRALIZATION OF NSNP FUNDS TO SCHOOLS………………………………….....17
17. SERVICE PROVIDERS PAYMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS……………………………….....18
17.1 Centralized Payments ………………………………………………………………………………………….….18
17.2 Decentralized Payments …………………………………………………………………..………………..19
18. NUTRITION EDUCATION …………………………………………………………………………..………………………20
19. SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION …………………………………………………………..……………..23
20. CONFLICT OF INTEREST ………………………………………………………………………………….…………..24
21. FRAUD AND IRREGULATIES …………………………………………………………………………..…………….25
21.1 General Stipulations …………………………………………………………………………..……………….25
21.2 Investigation Unit ……………………………………………………………………………………..………….25
21.3 Departmental Hotline………………………………………………………………………………..…………..26
22. REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…26
KZN-DOE NSNP Policy 2011 13/9/P -3-
1. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
2.1 KZN-DOE: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education
2.2 DOE-Head Office: Department of Education in which the
NSNP Provincial Directorate is located.
2.3 NSNP: National School Nutrition Programme.
2.4 (CG) Conditional Grant: the ring fenced government funds
allocated to NSNP.
2.5 Approval Letter: refers to the letter issued to
participating schools which contains a breakdown of
NSNP annual budget allocated to the school.
2.6 SGB: refers to the School Governing Body responsible for
the governance of the school including NSNP.
2.7 SMT: refers to School Management Team that is
responsible for the administration and management of
school including NSNP
2.8 LSEN: refers to the schools with learners with special
needs who are also targeted to participate in NSNP
2.9 (LWC) Local Women Cooperatives: A women cooperative
project first initiated by KZN-DOE in 2006 to harness
and enhance local economic development for women groups
2.10 LC: Local Cooperatives irrespective of gender. For the
purpose of this policy document, LC’s shall also
generally include or refer to those cooperatives that
are known as LWC’s.
2.11 SLA: Service Level Agreement which refers to the
document signed between the awarded service provider
and KZN-DOE and/or the feeding schools detailing the
terms of engagement between the parties.
2.11 SMME’S: Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises that are
service providers in NSNP
2.12 VFH’s: Voluntary Food Handlers are parents of
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learners in participating schools selected/appointed to
work as cooks or prepare meals for learners on all
feeding days.
2.13 Stipend/honorarium: refers to a stipulated fixed amount
paid to the voluntary food handler/cook at the end of
the feeding month.
2.14 Centralized Payment: refers to the system of payment in
which service providers are paid directly by the
Department through their authorized bank accounts.
2.15 Decentralized Payment: a new system that shall be
implemented with effect from 2012/13 in which NSNP
funds shall be transferred to schools in quarterly
tranches for the payment of service providers.
2. BACKGROUND
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), previously
known as Primary School Nutrition Programme (PSNP) was
introduced in 1994 as one of the Presidential Lead projects
of the Reconstruction and Development Programme. The
programme was introduced as a strategy to alleviate poverty.
Poverty, under nutrition, household food insecurity problems
are co-related and their casualties overlap. Under-nutrition
is caused by inadequate food intake, which can be caused by
poverty and household food insecurity. The poverty
statistics by the World Bank, 1996, indicated that KwaZulu
Natal has a poverty level of 26%. 53% of the population in
the Province is poor (Census 1996). Studies by the Food
Agriculture organization (FAO), UNESCO and the World Health
Organization (WHO) indicate that hunger impacts negatively
on the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDG’s), namely
universal primary education, gender equality, child
survival, maternal health, management of HIV and AIDS, TB
and malaria, and environmental stability.
Given the high incidence and severity of poverty in KwaZulu
Natal Province, hunger is a real problem affecting millions
of children from poor households. HIV and AIDS have a
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negative impact on children leaving them vulnerable to
household food insecurity.
Many factors contribute to poor performance amongst school
learners. These include long distances they have to
walk/travel to school, extra chores they have to perform
before going to school, meal patterns at home and a lack of
family time or resources to provide food of adequate quality
and quantity at home. Children, who come to school hungry,
have diminished attentiveness, a greater likelihood of
becoming distracted and a diminished interest in learning.
The result is that learners become vulnerable to failure,
low achievement and repetition.
NSNP aims to contribute to the improvement of education
quality and general health by:
Feeding learners at designated schools
Enhancing learning active capacity
Enhancing nutrition education through curriculum and
Improving nutritional knowledge, perceptions, attitudes
and healthy eating amongst school learners, their
parents and educators
Alleviating short term hunger
Improving school attendance and punctuality
Addressing micronutrient deficiencies through the
establishment of sustainable food production and, the
implementation of school gardens
NSNP as the government programme, further aims to enhance
broader development initiatives. These include amongst
others contributing to job creation for local communities
who were previously disadvantaged. In keeping with the
principles of access, equity, redress and protection against
unfair discrimination or malpractices, this policy document
shall serve as a watchdog.
3. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy document is to regulate, control
and administer the implementation of the National School
Nutrition Programme at provincial, district and school
level, within the province of KwaZulu-Natal in order to:
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Deliver quality nutritious food to learners as a basic
children’s right, in targeted primary, LSEN and
secondary schools.
Strengthen learner achievement through provision of
quality nutrition
Enhance knowledge of quality nutrition and food
production at school community level
Use schools as an entry point into bigger community
development initiatives.
4. SCOPE OF APPLICABILITY
This policy shall apply to all stakeholders (feeding
schools, School Governing Bodies, officials including but
not limited to Principals of Schools & Educators and
Voluntary Food Handlers), and all departmental officials and
service providers (namely Local Cooperatives, SMME’s and/or
other business entities) participating in the National
School Nutrition Programme in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
5. LEGISLATIVE MANDATES
This policy shall be read and applied in conjunction with
the following legislative mandates as also informed by and
espoused in Blue Book of National Guidelines of 2004 and
NSNP Provincial guidelines as revised in 2011:
5.1 Access to quality food as enshrined in the Constitution
of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996),
International Children’s Rights Charter.
5.2 Access to quality basic education and learner access as
stipulated in the National Education Policy Act 27 of 1996,
South African Schools Act of 1996.
5.3 The responsibility of the state towards equitable
funding of schools as expressed in Section 34 of the South
African Schools Act 84 of 1996.
5.4 Targeting of schools for feeding as informed by Norms
and Standards for Funding of Public Schools, General Notice
2362 of 12 October 1998.
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5.5 The roles and responsibilities of the three levels of
governance i.e. national, provincial and the school as per
section 3 of the National Education Policy Act of 1996 and
Sections 15 and 16 of the South African Schools Act 84 of
1996.
5.6 Provision of Grade R as enshrined in the White Paper no
5 and the Cabinet Resolution of 2002 in which the transfer
of the National School Nutrition Programme is addressed.
5.8 Government Procurement that favours women and Black
Economic Empowerment, as expressed in the Presidential State
of the Nation Address of February 2003.
5.9 The power of the National Minister of Education to
determine and review national policy, after due
consultation, the power of provincial legislatures to
implementational and provincial policy within the guidelines
of the higher national policy, and the rights of schools as
legal persona to implement national policy ,will apply at
all times.(National Education Act 27 of 1996).
5.10 Participation of parents through school governing
bodies in the local level education governance as espoused
in the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996.
5.11Participation of educators in the School Nutrition
Programme as an extra mural activity of the school (extra
mural activities as espoused in the South African Schools
Act 84 of 1996) and also espoused in the spirit of
Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998 and the Code of
Ethics of the SACE Act of 1998.
5.12 The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) of 1999.
5.13 The Division of Revenue Act (DORA) & Grant Framework
5.14 Food, Cosmetics & Disinfectants Act of 1996.
5.15 KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education Summit
Declaration of 2011.
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5.16 NSNP Operational Guidelines: the document that contains
and articulates appropriate steps, processes and procedures
to be followed in the implementation of NSNP
6. TARGETING
6.1 The targeting of schools shall be done by the Department
of Education in consultation
with EMIS and Norms and Standards Directorates at the
province. The selection criteria as set out by the
National Department of Basic Education provide that
learners in public schools should benefit from the
programme:
Learners in Grade R – 12
Only Grade R learners attached to public schools shall
be targeted
Learners in Quintile 1, 2, and 3 primary, combined and
secondary schools
Learners in targeted LSEN schools (participation of new
LSEN schools shall be subject to an assessment done by
the districts and/or province in the year of
application)
6.2 Participating schools that will have their quintile
ranking elevated higher than three shall
be automatically excluded from the programme in the year
of application even if they were feeding in the previous
year.
7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 School Principal
7.1.1 The principal as the head of the school shall be
expected to perform all duties in terms
of the South African Schools Act, Sect 16 (3); the
employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998, Sect 7 (1) (a)
read in conjunction with PAM (Personnel Administrative
Measures) Section 4.2 (e) (i) which refers to one core
responsibility of the principal being that of “ensuring
that various kinds of school accounts and records are
properly kept and to make the best use of funds for the
benefit of the learners in consultation with
appropriate structures”.
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7.1.2 In terms of the School Nutrition Programme, the school
principal shall be expected to
manage and account for proper implementation of the
programme at his/her school in line with this policy
document and as outlined in NSNP Operational
Guidelines.
7.2 School Governing Bodies (SGB)
In terms of South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996 (sect
16:1), the governance of
every public school is vested in its Governing Body.
7.2.1 The SGB of the feeding school shall be expected
amongst other things, to oversee and
monitor proper implementation of the NSNP at the
school, and work together with the SMT of the school
in ensuring that the programme is implemented in line
with policy framework and NSNP Operational Guidelines.
7.2.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of the South African Schools Act, the specific roles and
responsibilities of the SGB with regard to NSNP shall
also include those outlined in NSNP Operational
Guidelines.
7.2 Deputy Principal/HOD and/or Educators responsible for NSNP
7.3.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of the South African
Schools Act, the school’s deputy
Principal/school’s HOD and/or designated educator/s
that will be responsible for NSNP shall in line with
this policy frame work and NSNP guidelines assist the
principal in managing and administering the programme
at the school.
7.3.2 The school’s deputy principal/school’s HOD and/or designated educator/s responsible for NSNP shall
ensure that NSNP related documents or records are
updated and kept at all times.
7.4 Nutrition Committees
7.4.1 Where feasible, the school shall form a Nutrition Committee from SMT members and/or educators that shall
together with the principal and SGB be responsible for
all NSNP activities at school level.
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7.4.1 NSNP activities in the school shall include but not
limited to daily supervision of the feeding of
learners; receiving of NSNP deliveries, completing &
updating of stock control registers, completion of
daily and summary for the month feeding registers,
handle and resolve any NSNP- related conflicts, and
ensure the smooth running of the programme
in the school.
7.5 District Office
7.5.1 The district office shall in terms of this policy and
NSNP Operational Guidelines be responsible for
the implementation of the programme at district level
and report to the provincial office on monthly and
quarterly progress.
7.5.2 The district office shall maintain databases of all participating schools in the district including
appointed service providers, food handlers and any
other relevant databases.
7.5.3 The roles and responsibilities of the district in
implementing NSNP are clearly articulated in the NSNP
Operational Guidelines.
7.6 Head Office
7.6.1 The Head Office shall in line with National Grant
Framework and in terms of this policy document and NSNP
Operational Guidelines monitor and evaluate the
implementation of the programme, allocate and manage
budget to districts and feeding schools.
7.6.2 The Head Office shall in consultation with the
district offices draft provincial business plans,
develop and review NSNP policies and guidelines for
effective implementation of programme.
7.6.3 The Head Office shall report to the Department’s Senior Management and National Department on monthly,
quarterly and annual bases on the progress of the
implementation of NSNP in the province.
7.6.4 The Head Office shall maintain databases of all participating schools including appointed service
providers, food handlers and any other relevant
databases.
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8. PARTICIPATION OF SCHOOLS IN NSNP
8.1 The participation of schools in the programme shall be
reviewed yearly based on the set targeting criteria as
outlined in point 6 of this policy document and in line
with the NSNP Operational Guidelines.
8.2 Qualifying schools shall be required to complete and
submit applications on the NSNP standard format to the
Department in each financial year in order to be granted
feeding.
8.3 Qualifying schools shall be required to ensure that
enrolment figures provided to EMIS for a 10 day Snap
Survey are correct as the NSNP Directorate will not take
responsibility and/or amend approval letters based on
erroneous submissions to EMIS.
8.4 Each qualifying school shall accordingly be allocated an
annual budget based on a 10 day Snap Survey enrolment,
and no variation shall be allowed thereof unless the
school’s enrolment has decreased from the Snap Survey at
the time of application wherefore the lower enrolment
shall be considered.
8.5 Each qualifying school shall not commence with feeding
without an official approval letter from KZN-DOE
detailing the break down of annual budget for the school.
KZN-DOE will not take responsibility for the schools that
shall commence feeding without an official approval
letter authorizing the school to feed.
9. FEEDING
9.1 The National Grant Framework dictates that learners are
fed in all school days with at least a minimum of 193
days per year.
9.2 The feeding of learners in the province shall take
place in all school days in all participating primary,
LSEN and secondary schools in line with the NSNP annual
feeding calendar that shall be determined by the KZN-DOE
in terms of the Grant Framework.
9.3 Learners in all schools shall be fed by 10H00 in terms
of the Grant Framework.
9.4 The learners shall be fed in accordance with the
stipulation of this policy document and in strict
adherence to feeding schedule, delivery times, prescribed
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menu and specifications of food products as outlined in
the NSNP Operational Guidelines.
10. JOB CREATION PROJECT
In terms of the Cabinet Resolution of 2002 and the
Declaration of KZN Education Summit of 2011,NSNP has a
mandate and responsibility to create job opportunities for
local women groups and local people within its scope of
providing nutritious meals to primary, LSEN and secondary
schools.
10.1 The NSNP Directorate shall ensure that local people
within the areas in which feeding schools are located
benefit from the programme as service providers (i.e.
Local Cooperatives & SMME’s); locally based Primary
Producers within municipal wards; and
as Voluntary Food Handlers and Groundsmen.
10.2 The Department of Education in collaboration with the
Department of Agriculture and of Economic Development
shall vigorously engage in identifying existing
community based projects and agricultural cooperatives
within the local municipal wards that shall be
trained and equipped to work as production centres of
food items which are consumed in feeding schools.
10.3 The KZN-DOE shall use its discretion to link/connect
NSNP service providers within the local municipal wards
and/or within the district to the identified community
based projects and/or agricultural cooperatives from
which they will be required to purchase in terms of the
provisions of this policy and the Service Level
Agreement.
10.4 The KZN-DOE shall in respect of the above reserve the
right to revoke or terminate the contract of the
service provider that shall fail to comply with this
provision.
10.5 The KZN-DOE shall incrementally increase the number of
Local Cooperatives (comprising of six members per
Cooperative) that shall be trained and equipped to
service schools with effect from 2012/13 financial
year. The newly formed cooperatives
shall be allocated schools by KZN-DOE on the basis of
the selection criteria that shall be deemed relevant at
the time, and on the basis of its discretion.
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11. FOOD HANDLERS APPOINTMENT
11.1 The SGB and SMT of the participating school shall be
responsible for identifying and selecting from amongst
the community members parents of learners to work as
voluntary food handlers or cooks in the school
11.2 The SGB parent members who shall have an interest in
working as voluntary food handlers shall first be
expected to resign as SGB members in order to qualify
for selection.
11.3 The contract for voluntary food handlers shall run for
a period of 12 months/one financial year period; and
the principle of rotating parents and/or renewal of the
contract shall apply at the end of the contract period
as the SGB and SMT may deem fit, and no resistance from
those whose contracts have ended shall be expected
thereof.
11.4 The voluntary food handlers once contracted, shall
receive a monthly stipend/honorarium of the amount that
shall be dictated by the Grant Framework and subject to
review in each financial year.
11.5 The SGB and SMT shall be expected to ensure that
voluntary food handlers strictly perform those duties
related to the preparation of meals for learners as
stipulated in NSNP Operational Guidelines and Food
Handlers’ Duty List.
11.6 The SGB and SMT shall ensure that voluntary food
handlers are equipped in basic food preparation, and
that they attend food handlers training organized by
the Department from time to time, and that food
handlers wear protective clothing at all times when
performing their duties.
12. SELECTION OF SERVICE PROVIDERS: SMME’S
12.1 The selection of service providers to supply meals to schools shall be in line with the procedures and
selection criteria as stipulated in the SCM and NSNP
Operational Guidelines.
12.2 The general SCM/procurement guidelines and procedures of the Department shall be followed using the quotation
system in which the School Governing Body(SGB) shall be
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expected to recommend a minimum of three up to a
maximum of five suitable service providers to the
Department for the provision of meals.
12.3 Upon recommendation by the schools, the District Selection Committee chaired by the District Manager or
a delegated official, comprising of a minimum of five
up to a maximum of seven members which shall include
the District officials and one official from the Head
Office shall be responsible for the appointment of the
service providers as per the stipulation of this
policy, and the selection requirements as articulated
in NSNP Operational Guidelines.
12.4 The District Selection Committee shall reserve the
right to reverse the process by the school or not to
uphold any of the recommended service providers if
found that procedures were flouted or not followed
and/or where the recommended service providers do not
qualify as per the stipulations of this policy
document.
12.5 The service providers that have also been deemed unqualified or blacklisted by the KZN Treasury and/or
not properly registered shall be automatically excluded
from the selection process even if they have been
recommended by the school/s.
12.6 Only service providers that are locally based (within the parameters of the education district in which the
school is based) and which are registered on the KZN
Provincial and Departmental databases shall qualify for
selection in the provision of meals to learners in
participating schools.
12.7 Where one service provider has won a bid/contract to feed more than one school in the district locality, the
enrolment allocation shall not exceed a maximum of
5 000 learners for all schools put together, and each
service provider shall be confined or restricted to
bid/contest for services only to schools in the
district locality in which the contesting
company/business/organization is registered.
12.8 Where there are more than one qualifying service providers for one school within the district,
preference shall be determined on the basis of the
municipal ward in which the school is located and also
in consideration of the maximum enrolment allocation
per service provider.
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12.9 The service provider’s contract or agreement with one school shall be valid for only one financial year or
lesser period as may be determined by the Department
from time to time and/or as a result of termination.
12.10 The awarded/contracted service provider shall not
commence with the feeding of the school prior to the
receipt of the copy of an official approval letter
detailing the breakdown of the annual budget of the
school and authorizing the service provider to feed.
KZN-DOE shall not take responsibility for the service
provider that shall deviate from this rule (refer to
No.8.5 of this policy document).
12.11 The service provider shall not be contracted to the
same or one school for more than three consecutive
years, and no service provider thereto shall be
entitled to have the ownership of any school
irrespective of the sponsorships and/or donations given
to the school.
12.12 The Department shall reserve the right to allocate any
feeding schools to Local Women Cooperatives (LWC’s)
and/or any Local Cooperatives that may be established
or decided upon by the Department after the contract
period with the service provider has expired.
13. LOCAL COOPERATIVES (LC’S)
13.1 Background
13.1.1 The cabinet resolution of 2002 indicates that,
measures should be in place to harness and replicate
successful initiatives to increase the participation of
women groups. This resolution culminated in the
formation of Local Women Cooperatives (LWC’) in 2006
and 2009 respectively.
13.1.2 The Department shall incrementally introduce more
local cooperatives in the future with the ultimate
intention to strike a balance in sharing from NSNP
gains between SMME’s and Local Cooperatives.
13.2 Selection of LC’s
13.2.1 The selection of LC’s for the provision of meals to
schools within the district in which the cooperative is
registered shall be determined by the Department in
line with the selection criteria as stipulated in the
NSNP Operational Guidelines.
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13.2.2 Each LC shall be allocated schools based on the
minimum allocation of 3000 learners (for all schools
combined together) by the Department within the
parameters of the district.
13.2.3 Where possible, the Department shall strive to
allocate the LC schools with higher enrolments (i.e.
800 learners and above per school) and that
are within the close proximity of each other which are
located within municipal ward in reaching minimum
allocation of 3000 learners.
13.2.4 LC’s which are well established and have sufficient
capacity shall be allowed to solicit schools on their
own above the minimum enrolment allocated by the
Department up to a maximum of 10 000 learners (for all
schools combined together) within the district in line
with selection procedures applicable to SMME’s.
13.2.5 Schools allocated to LC’s shall remain theirs for a
maximum period of three years after which they shall be
expected to compete for schools with other LC’s within
the pool of schools that shall be ring-fenced for LC’s.
14. TERMINATION OF SERVICE
14.1 SMME’s
14.1.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of the Service Level
Agreement, the school and/or service provider in
terminating the services before the end of the contract
period shall be required to adhere to the termination
procedures as stipulated in the Provincial NSNP
Guidelines.
14.1.2 The Department shall reserve the right to revoke any
termination that was effected by the school in
contravention of this policy or stipulated procedures.
14.1.3 In the event of termination initiated or effected by
the service provider, the Department and/or school
shall have recourse to claim any outstanding amounts
owed by the service provider to school in the form of
unpaid honoraria or wood/gas costs which ever shall be
applicable.
14.1.4 Where possible if termination is initiated by the
service provider, the Department shall reserve the
right to compel the service provider to give at least a
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minimum notice of 15 working days to ensure
uninterrupted feeding at the school.
14.2 LC’s
14.2.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of the Service Level
Agreement, the SGB, SMT and /or school principal shall
under no circumstances unilaterally decide to terminate
the services of the Local Cooperative.
14.2.2 Where the LC is in breach in terms of the provisions
of the Service Level Agreement, NSNP Operational
Guidelines and/or this policy document, the school
shall be required to strictly follow the stipulated
guidelines as outlined in the NSNP Operational
Guidelines.
14.2.3 Failure of the school to adhere to the above shall
render its decision null and void in terms of the
provisions of this policy and the NSNP Operational
Guidelines and/or Service Level Agreement.
15. DISPUTE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Any disputes or conflicts arising from the
selection/appointment of service providers and unfair
termination of service shall be launched with the District
Management and resolved at the District level thereof.
16. DECENTRALIZATION OF NSNP FUNDS TO SCHOOLS
In terms the Minister of Basic Education’s proclamation and
directive that NSNP funds be transferred directly to feeding
school, KZN-DOE shall with effect from the financial year
2012/13 implement the process of transferring funds to
feeding schools on incremental phases.
16.1 In 2012/13, NSNP funds shall be transferred to 20% of
all the feeding schools in the province of which 15% and
5% shall be primary and secondary schools respectively,
and the remainder of the schools included in the
subsequent financial year thereof.
16.2 The selection of the schools for the initial phase
shall be based on proven good financial management
practices and NSNP best practices.
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16.3 The schools to which NSNP funds are transferred shall
be required to strictly comply with all financial
control measures and regulations as shall be stipulated
by the Department and in line with this policy
document, NSNP Operational Guidelines and/or government
regulations which shall include but not limited to the
provisions of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996,
Public Finance Management (PMFA), of 1999, DORA and any
other relevant legislation.
16.4 Where the school/s shall be found to contravene or
deviate from the provisions of this policy, NSNP
Guidelines, any of the stipulated financial procedures
and/or government financial regulations, the KZN-DOE
shall reserve the right to take away the powers of
controlling NSNP funds from the guilty school/s to the
DOE-Head Office or District Office whichever will be
applicable at the time.
16.5 Where deviation or contravention amounts to financial
irregularities, the KZN-DOE shall treat the matter in
accordance with the provisions of this policy as
stipulated under fraud and irregularities.
17. SERVICE PROVIDERS PAYMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS
With effect from the financial year 2012/13, two systems of
payments of service providers shall be implemented, namely:
centralized and decentralized payments. The current
centralized system will eventually be phased out giving way
to the decentralized system that shall be phased in
incrementally beginning with 20% of all feeding schools in
2012/13 (see point 16 above).
17.1 CENTRALIZED PAYMENTS
17.1.1 The service provider shall claim for the service
rendered at the end of the feeding month, and the SBG
and/or school shall not pay the service provider but
instead the Department of Education at Head Office
level will transfer funds into the service provider’s
authorized bank account for valid claims and tax
invoices received (refer to NSNP Provincial Guidelines
for payment procedures and processes).
17.1.2 The service provider shall be required to pay
honorarium/stipend to the school as per allocation
stipulated in the approval letter, and such payment
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shall be made at the end of every feeding month
irrespective of payments by the DOE-Head Office.
17.1.3 The service provider shall be required to supply gas
or wood at an allocated budget to the school before the
commencement of the feeding month.
17.1.4 The service provider who fails to claim for services
rendered within 90 days after the end of the feeding
month shall forfeit any payments to that effect, and as
such the Department shall not be liable for any costs
incurred by the service provider thereof.
17.1.5 Where the service provider is defaulting in rendering
quality service, and upon availability of sufficient
proof to that effect, the DOE-Head Office shall reserve
the right to black list the defaulting service provider
from having any future contracts with NSNP and/or KZN-
DOE.
17.2 DECENTRALIZED PAYMENTS
17.2.1 The DOE-Head Office shall transfer NSNP funds
directly into the school’s account, wherein the SGB and
SMT shall be required to pay the service provider after
delivering sufficient food quantities and of acceptable
quality.
17.2.2 The SGB and SMT shall ensure that the service
provider is paid on time at the end of the month
(within 7 working days) once the service has been
rendered in line with this policy document and NSNP
specifications as outlined in Provincial Guidelines.
17.2.3 The service provider who fails to claim for services
rendered within 90 days after the end of the feeding
month shall forfeit any payments to that effect, and as
such the Department shall not be liable for any costs
incurred by the service provider.
17.2.4 The SGB and SMT shall ensure accountability of the
programme funds and will be expected to submit all
relevant documentation prescribed by NSNP Directorate
as proof of payments made to service providers, as well
as account on the savings made where necessary.
17.2.5 The funds to schools shall be transferred in
quarterly tranches to ensure accountability, and where
schools fail to provide proof of the use of NSNP funds
and/or failure to pay service providers within
specified time limits, the
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DOE-Head Office shall reserve a right to centralize the
NSNP school funds pending an investigation and/or audit
of the affected school funds.
17.2.6 Where the service provider is defaulting in rendering
quality service and upon availability of sufficient
proof to that effect, the DOE-Head Office shall reserve
the right to black list the defaulting service provider
from having any future contracts with NSNP and or KZN-
DOE.
18. NUTRITION EDUCATION
18.1 Definition:
18.1.1 Nutrition Education is defined as the various
strategies or methods employed to educate the community
on good eating habits.
18.1.2 Nutrition Education is an integral part of NSNP and
forms the heart of the programme as successful
implementation of NSNP depends on the knowledge,
perceptions and attitude of learners, educators and
school parents to good nutrition and healthy lifestyle.
18.1.3 Nutrition education in schools is incorporated in the
Life Skills and Life Orientation programme.
18.2 The NSNP Directorate responsibilities in terms of
Nutrition Education shall be as follows:
18.2.1 Updating of nutrition information relayed to learners.
18.2.2 Development of materials for learners and educators in support of the nutrition content in Life
Orientation and Life Skills programme.
18.2.3 Training of principals and educators responsible for NSNP.
18.2.4 Training food handlers on food preparation and food
safety.
18.2.5 Development of nutritionally adequate menus that meet
the Recommended Dietary Allowances for school going
children.
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18.3 NSNP Menu
18.3.1 The NSNP menu shall be developed by the NSNP
Directorate based on the Nutritional needs of school
going children and in line with national prescripts and
guidelines.
18.3.2 The prescribed menu shall be strictly adhered to, and
no deviation shall be tolerated unless otherwise the
school has sought special exemption from KZN-DOE, and
has accordingly been granted approval to that effect.
18.3.3 Service Providers who deliberately supply items that
are not prescribed on the menu and/or under supplying
the school, shall be disallowed in accordance with the
menu items that were not fed/supplied and/or under
supplied.
18.3.4 Where there are persistent serious deviations on the
menu and which shall impact negatively on the
objectives of NSNP, and after the service provider has
failed to adhere to the department’s warnings; the
DOE-Head Office shall reserve the right to terminate
the contract with defaulting service provider and/or
black list the service provider from having any future
Contracts with NSNP and/or KZN-DOE.
18.3.5 The onus to ensure that prescribed menus are served
to learners in the school at all times shall be upon
both the SGB and SMT as provided for in this document
under roles and responsibilities.
18.4 Food Safety and Hygiene
In order for the learners to remain healthy, the food that
they eat should not only be nutritious but also clean and
safe for consumption. Measures should be implemented in
schools to prevent food borne diseases or food poisoning.
18.4.1 Where food poisoning is suspected, the food item
consumed on the day shall be avoided/excluded, and
18.4.2 A sample of the meal consumed shall be taken to
the Environmental Health Section of the Department
of Health for analysis.
18.4.3 Learners shall be referred to the clinic /hospital
for proper medical care.
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18.4.4 The school shall report incidents of food
poisoning to the district office.
18.5 Gas Safety
18.5.1 Installation of gas stoves and gas cylinders shall be
according to the approved standards by the LPGSA.
18.5.2 Each school shall request a certificate of compliance
from the service provider upon Installation of gas
stoves.
18.5.3 Proper care and safety measures shall be adhered to
at all times when using gas.
18.5.4 The SGB and SMT shall ensure that reasonable care and
precautions are taken in the school to prevent medico-
legal hazards.
18. 6 School vendors and tuck shops
Food choices and food items directly sold by school vendors
have a direct impact on child nutrition and related
illnesses. All schools shall be required to adhere to the
following guiding principles:
18.6.1 Each school shall be required to have the food based
dietary guidelines as the basis for translating
information to its learners.
18.6.2 The school shall be required to have a database of all individuals selling food items in and around
school premises.
18.6.3 Every school shall be required to have a written vending policy that shall be displayed in the
principal’s office and enforced by the SMT and
Nutrition Committee/and or educators responsible for
NSNP in the school.
18.6.4 Illegal drugs and any other addictive substances shall under no circumstances be sold to learners.
18.6.5 Each vendor and/or tuck shop owner shall be required to sign an agreement in compliance with the school
vending policy.
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18.6.6 The SGB and the SMT shall have the right to discipline and/or terminate the services of a non
complying vendor and/or tuck shop.
18.7 National calendar events
18.7.1 Nutrition related calendar events shall be celebrated
by all schools
19. SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION
19.1 Food gardens are one of the poverty alleviation
strategies implemented in schools. The strategy focuses
on developing skills and knowledge that enhances the
potential of disadvantaged communities to live healthy
lives.
19.2 Food Production initiatives should not be seen mainly
, as a source of income for the school or as a
substitute for the existing school feeding programme
but rather as a means to impart knowledge, experience
and practical skill on food production.
19.3 The implementation of vegetable gardens shall be
promoted in all schools in the province.
19.3.1 Criteria for the implementation of vegetable gardens:
19.3.1.1 All schools shall be encouraged to have vegetable
gardens.
19.3.1.2 A school that has a vegetable garden shall enter
into an agreement (Annexure H) with the service
provider of the school.
19.3.1.3 One food handler in a school with learners more
than 200 shall be responsible for the food garden.
19.3.1.4 The food handler or grounds person shall be paid
a stipend as indicated by the Department which shall be
subject to review every financial year.
19.3.1.5 Training of the grounds people shall be conducted
by the Agricultural Colleges.
19.3.1.6 Learners shall be encouraged to assist in the
gardens as a way of gaining skills in food production;
under no circumstance shall working on food production
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initiatives be used as punishment for the learners by
educators.
19.3.2 Vegetable Tunnels:
19.3.2.1 The Department shall select schools for the
installation of vegetable tunnels.
19.3.2.2 Schools shall be trained on the maintenance of the
tunnels by the Department.
19.3.3 Nurseries:
19.3.3.1 The KZN-DOE shall be responsible for the selection
of schools for the installation of nurseries.
19.3.3.2 Each nursery shall be responsible for the supply of
seedlings to twelve other schools in the area.
19.3.3.3 The schools shall be trained by KZN-DOE on the
maintenance of the nursery.
20. CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
20.1 The educators, school officials, principals of schools,
departmental officials including but
not limited to NSNP officials at district and Head
office levels and/or any other government officials
shall under no circumstances be allowed to bid/contest
for NSNP contract and /or enter into an agreement with
feeding schools as service providers.
20.2 The members of the SGB’s shall not be allowed to bid or
contest for NSNP contract in the schools where they are
members.
20.3 The family members and/or close relatives of SMT and
SGB of the school to which contract is sought shall not
be allowed to bid/contest in that school.
20.4 Any form of breach or contravention to the above
stipulations shall if proven result in the affected
parties being charged with fraud or corruption in line
with the relevant South
African laws.
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21. FRAUD AND IRREGULARITIES
21.1 General Stipulations
21.1.1 All persons entrusted with financial accounting and
duties as detailed in these instructions must ensure
that they acquaint themselves with the statutory
regulations relating to the task assigned to them.
21.1.2 Persons entrusted with financial and accounting
duties must take note that any irregularities in the
handling and control of funds; and that any
contravention of these instructions shall have serious
legal implications on guilty party.
21.1.3 Where there shall be any irregularities or non-
compliance with the NSNP procedures and stipulations as
laid down in this policy document and NSNP Operational
Guidelines, the Department will not hesitate to
institute the necessary investigation and act
accordingly.
21.1.4 The SGB’s and SMT’s of participating schools shall be
obliged to ensure that irregularities are reported
immediately. Where any person/s shall be implicated in
fraudulent or irregular activities in respect of the
implementation of the NSNP, the Department shall not
hesitate to institute criminal charges of fraud and
corruption against the implicated person/s.
21.2 Investigation Unit
21.2.1 The Department of Education has established an
Investigation Unit that investigates all matters
relating to allegations of fraud and corruption and the
NSNP undoubtedly also form part of the scope of its
operation.
21.2.2 Where necessary, the NSNP Directorate shall refer all
matters of alleged fraudulent activities or
irregularities to this unit for extensive investigation
and for appropriate corrective measures thereof
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21.3 Departmental Hotline
21.3.1 The Department of Education has a hotline for the
public to report any irregularities regarding the
implementation of NSNP.
21.3.2 Parents of learners and members of the public shall
be encouraged to use this facility with a choice of
remaining anonymous to report any acts of fraud or
irregularities in NSNP.
22. REFERENCES
a. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1994
b. KwaZulu Natal Department of Education: National School Nutrition Programme Operational Guidelines
2009/10
c. National Department of Education: Operational Guidelines 2004
d. South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 e. Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) of 1999 f. Division of Revenue Act (DORA) g. Food, Cosmetics & Disinfectants Act,1996 h. Labour Relations Act