Lack of planning and ignorance are among the many reasons highlighted by opposition parties after learning that 222 schools across the province are likely to start the 2018 academic year without textbooks due to late placement of orders by schools.
The late delivery of textbooks is seemingly not the only issue the Department of Education has to deal with complaints were raised regarding lack of space for about
13 899 learners in the province. According to a statement issued by the Democratic Alliance (DA) last week, Polokwane has the highest number of stranded learners with
6 996, followed by Musina with 3 028, Ba-Phalaborwa with 1 747 and Tubatse with 1 016.
Department of Education Spokesperson, Sam Makondo said on Friday that schools are to blame for placing orders late but opposition parties are against the department’s excuse stating that the department has to make sure that all schools place orders in time.
Makondo said 3 600 out of 3 822 schools in the province ordered books in time. He said late orders were placed with the publishers and the delivery to schools is expected to take place on dates that are not yet known.
He said textbooks for Grade 4 to 12 learners were delivered to schools that placed the orders by 15 December. Makondo revealed that the department is not providing new textbooks for all the learners but rather topping up on the old ones and reiterated that parents should remind their children to return textbooks to schools. He said learners are expected to be responsible enough to know that textbooks must be returned to schools at the end of each academic year.
“Stationery packs have been delivered to all schools across the province and the South African Post Office is delivering Grade R to 3 study materials to schools. Delivery is expected to be finalised this week,” he stated.
When asked if it was an easy process for schools to place orders, Makondo said the department distributes catalogues and order templates to schools. Schools select textbooks to place orders and submit to the district offices via circuit offices, he explained and added that district offices capture and upload the school orders on the system.
He further said the Provincial office placed orders with the publishers who are expected to deliver the books to the central warehouse and the South African Post Office is contracted to deliver books to individual schools in the province. According to Makondo, the process is running smoothly and he pledged that the department would process whatever complaints to strengthen the system.
When responding to allegations of lack of space in schools, Makondo said the department was busy auditing available space in all schools across the province in order to place the unplaced learners. “The demand for certain schools is high especially city schools and reasons include parents migrating to towns and cities for better economic opportunities and work opportunities. The department urges parents and learners to be patient as the process of placing learners unfolds,” he explained.
Congress of the People (Cope) provincial secretary Eric Mohlapamaswi indicated the current leadership doesn’t seem to learn from their mistakes because the textbooks crisis is a yearly challenge. He said it was useless to tell citizens that schools placed orders late and reiterated that the excuse simply shows that there is no system in place to deal with textbooks orders. He further said if it is schools’ fault then disciplinary measures should be taken against principals or any educator who is responsible for late placement of orders.
The Renewed South Africa Party (RSA.P) interim national leader, Cornelis Roelofse emphasised that the party was not surprised that schools were to start the academic year without textbooks. He said the crisis has been an annual thing for over 15 years now but the department is doing nothing to solve the problem.
“It all boils down to bad planning and the leaders of the current administration seemingly care less about education that is why the same mistake is repeated,” stressed Roelofse.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Provincial Chairperson, Rendani Munyai said Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe lied to residents last year stating that textbooks will be delivered to schools on time. She further said the party knew for certain that the department cannot keep the promise as always.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Provincial Leader, Jacques Smalle said it was unacceptable for learners to start the year without textbooks and added that districts and circuit managers should be held accountable for failing to monitor the placement of orders from schools. He further said the department violates children’s rights to education. After several attempts, the African National Congress (ANC) could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
