The potential for economic impact of the KZN department of education infrastructure delivery programme

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education (DoE) infrastructure delivery programme in a bid to assess its potential impact on the economic growth of KZN. A mixed research approach was used to analyse existing data obtained through document review and semi-structured cross-sectional interview design with contractors to establish the link between their actions and elements of the GDP. The triangulated empirical findings suggest that KZN's DOE infrastructure delivery programme has a low potential to impact economic growth. The practical implications include the low impact arising from no concerted efforts to align programmes to economic fundamentals and leakages arising from inefficiencies, red tape, low capacity utilisation of resources, the poor performance of agents, consultants, contractors and low staff productivity. Recommendations were further made on institutional reforms, policy enhancement and reduction of transactions costs in the value chain. The recommendations also serve as bases for future research implications necessary for sector transformation and sustainable construction in KZN.