Textbook shortage still issue in Limpopo

“Unfortunately there are still a lot of textbook shortages at the moment in the province. We have a preliminary report that is going to come out about textbook shortages which is going to show that it is more than just about learner migration,” says Section 27 representative, Butho Mpofu.
The organisation Basic Education for All (Befa) and Human Rights organisation, Section 27 during the last two weeks visited several schools in Limpopo to assess the availability of textbooks.
The Department of Basic Education and Department of Education, when appealing the decision of the High Court last November that it was an impossible standard of perfection to strive to, were told in no uncertain terms through a ruling by the Appeal Court that it is the right of each learner to receive textbooks on time at the commencement of the academic year. Befa and Section 27 realised at the time that, as the department had to report back after the first four court cases against it by the organisation, things had to change. “It is easy for the department to say they have delivered 95% of books, and we never asked for a supervisory order,” Butho Mpofu, a spokesperson for Section 27 said. “We needed to get our own data from schools and we needed to work with the department to ensure learners get textbooks and know what their rights are.”
Befa and Section 27 wrote to the Department of Education, asking for permission to get immediate access to schools and it was granted, but, according to Mpofu, some schools are reluctant to talk to them or allow them a visit, although permission was given by the acting Head of Department.
Befa and Section 27 are busy with road shows in the province to educate learners and parents about their rights with regards to education. “We do door-to-door visits for about four days in a district and then we have a road show. Should there be a problem at schools with textbooks, people can also call a hotline operated by Befa since the beginning of the year.
The organisation will release a report on the state of the delivery of textbooks to some schools in the province.
The province has seen several protests by various communities calling for better schooling services, with some learners saying their constitutional right to free basic education is being violated due to the shortages of resources, infrastructure and educators.
Learners, educators and parents can contact Befa should they not have textbooks by phoning, sending an SMS or leave a “please call me” message on 071 247 1476.

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Photo: Basic Education for All (Befa) representatives Grace Tintswalo Tshabalala, Joyce Mabasa, Joseph Ngako Leremi, Tebogo Sephakgamela, and Solanga Milambo (Befa and Section 21), in front, with Befa’s Makondeleli Makwarela, Thelela Makgoga (Limpopo Chairperson), Nkhensani Mavasa (Provincial Secretary), Butho Mpofu, Section 27 and Charles Malebana (Befa Deputy Provincial Secretary).