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Estimates of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) %u2013 2025/26 Financial Yearinclude; departmental transformation strategy and a comprehensive Learner Attainment Strategy whose purpose is provide extra lessons and tutoring activities that accommodate low achieving learners, amongst other things. Information Communication Technology (ICT) In a rapid advancement of Information Communication and Technology and the need to adapt to these changes, the department remains committed to investing in technology and enhancing internet connectivity to build a strong foundation for a future driven by innovation and digital inclusivity. A central aspect of this initiative is the e-learning solution, which provides a centralized platform for ecurriculum support materials for teachers and learners. This includes Department of Basic Education (DBE) e-content, various curriculum resources, and materials developed by teachers and curriculum officials. The Department will continue its efforts to supply technological devices to school principals throughout the province, thus ensuring both teachers and learners are well-prepared for technological shifts in society. School Rationalisation and Realignment Programme (SRRP) Education, through continual and meaningful consultation with all relevant stakeholders, will deepen its energies of implementing and ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for learners from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in the province, through realigning and rationalisation of small and unviable schools. This programme is informed by ongoing research that pertains demographic locations of targeted schools, population dynamics of the communities around the schools and the management of the schools. There is a post-closure process that is currently underway, with schools expected to be formally published in the official gazette by end April 2025. 4 Reprioritization The department continues to reprioritise to augment allocated resources over the medium-term period towards critical service delivery imperatives as well as specific national and provincial key sector policy priorities. This exercise was undertaken at a programme level and economic classification, by ensuring that sector non-negotiables are prioritised in the available resources, whilst also endeavoured to keep the allocation for the non-essential service delivery projects at bare minimum. Cost containment measures are currently put in place and will continue to be implemented over the 2025 MTEF period. The departmental budget committee will continue to play an active role in ensuring that programmes are continuously being reviewed and that the spending is monitored against the projected targets, thus ensuring any pressures are addressed within the baseline. 5 Procurement The department will keep putting government procurement policies into practice. To make sure that the acquisition of goods and services meets the requirements for service delivery, the procurement strategy will be observed during the fiscal year. LTSM, school furnishings, hostel catering, e-learning projects (including the acquisition of ICT equipment and related gadgets for teachers and learners), smart classrooms, resourcing of Special Schools, which include but not limited to assistive devices, provision of tailor-made buses and transport for learners in special schools, the printing, packaging, security and transportation of exam papers, including resourcing of marking centers for the NSC, connectivity at schools, coding and robotics are some of maijor procurement for the year. The procurement plan will be monitored throughout the year to ensure that procurement of the abovementioned projects is in line with planned activities for the year. 337