Limpopo textbooks deadline end of Jan

LIMPOPO – The Department of Education is once again under fire as more and more schools reveal they have not received all the needed textbooks and study materials for the new year.

This had been made public when the Democratic Alliance wrote to the Education Portfolio Committee Chairperson last week after their oversight visit.

According to schools in and around the city that spoke to Review last week and earlier this week, the deliveries are far behind schedule.

Department of Education Spokesperson, Dr Naledzani Rasila, said the department continues to monitor the delivery of Learner and Teacher Support Material (LTSM) across the province, in particular stationery.

“To date, significant work has been done in this regard and more than 1 000 schools have been covered, mainly in Vhembe and Capricorn districts. Much more work still has to be done in the other three districts of the province, namely Sekhukhune, Mopani and Waterberg,” Rasila said. He added the delay in delivery is mainly due to the appointment of a new supplier, following the expiry of a three-year contract that supplied LTSM to Limpopo schools.

Rasila said the deliveries of textbooks have been continued, adding that the department works day and night and even over weekends to deliver the much-needed books.

The process, he continued, is going well but added that there are some challenges.

“Mop-ups continue in schools that did not place their orders in time to ensure that teaching and learning goes on unhindered. Schools and their management teams will be kept up to date through their circuit offices and districts,” Rasila said

He added that the department is monitoring the delivery closely and would like to apologise for any inconvenience that might have been caused by this delay.

“We are working around the clock to ensure delivery is completed by the end of January,” Rasila assured.

riana@nmgroup.co.za