Original Research

The impact of public procurement on delivery of quality education in Queensburgh secondary schools, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Gabriel L. Ngcobo, Hendrik F. Conradie
Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review | Vol 12, No 1 | a844 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v12i1.844 | © 2024 Gabriel L. Ngcobo, Hendrik F. Conradie | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 15 February 2024 | Published: 24 September 2024

About the author(s)

Gabriel L. Ngcobo, Department of Public Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Hendrik F. Conradie, Department of Public Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The South African government is faced with the challenge of expediting the provision of basic services while at the same time complying with public sector procurement regulations. The adherence to regulations results in delays in the provision of infrastructure for public schools.

Aim: The article seeks to assess the impact of public procurement processes on service delivery with regard to the provision of infrastructure to public schools.

Setting: The article focusses on secondary schools in Queensburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Methods: The article employed a qualitative research method and primary data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with eight Public Works officials and eight contractors that conduct business with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works (DPW). Purposive sampling had been utilised to identify participants.

Results: The article revealed that procurement processes profoundly impact the speed and quality of infrastructural delivery, and in many cases negatively, with delays being experienced.

Conclusion: The study showed that the procurement processes affect the delivery of infrastructure in public schools.

Contribution: This can assist the South African government in designing procurement in a manner that will expedite service delivery. This is not only going to assist in the provision of schools’ infrastructure in Queensburgh area but should also become a blueprint to eliminate backlogs and delays in service delivery.


Keywords

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works; public procurement processes; supply chain management; service delivery; contractors.

JEL Codes

A19: Other

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

Metrics

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Total article views: 251


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