Education Department satisfied with delivery of textbooks

With the delivery of textbooks and Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM) to public schools across the province having been a challenge in previous academic years, the Department of Education claims to be on track this year.
Departmental spokesperson Sam Makondo indicated that the delivery of LTMS went well in all ten education districts in the province. He emphasised that they have delivered as per plan and are way ahead of time compared to last year. Makondo added that this would give the department more time to deal with any challenges that might arise. He stated that they want the first day of schooling to be real in terms of teaching and learning next year.
Following the conclusion of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations at the end of last month, eyes are now set on the announcement of the results by both Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and Education MEC Polly Boshielo. Makondo reported that the minister would announce the national results on 7 January while Boshielo would make a presentation of the provincial results the following day at Protea Hotel Ranch Resort. He outlined that the matric pass rate target was still 80% as per Premier Stan Mathabatha’s announcement.
Makondo revealed that 126 194 candidates wrote the NSC exams at 1 656 centres and the scripts are currently being marked at 21 marking centres with the conclusion set for today (Wednesday). He added that the exams went according to the plan and no disruptions and questioned paper leaks were experience.
Boshielo posted summaries of what she identified as consolidated delivery reports for textbooks and stationery as on 3 December on her social media page last Wednesday. In terms of textbook delivery Boshielo indicated that a total of 777 schools in the Capricorn district had placed orders and books were delivered to 772 institutions which represents 99,36% while orders from 613 schools in Mopani district were placed and the delivery was made to 599 schools being 97,72%.
According to Boshielo’s post, 804 schools in Sekhukhune district placed orders for textbooks and by last Tuesday deliveries had been made to 795 institutions which represents 98,88% while
Vhembe district had 782 ordered and 780 delivered being 99,74% attended to. In the Waterberg district, 368 schools that placed orders all received textbooks, Boshielo wrote and added that the total delivery of textbooks stood at 99,10% as on 3 December.
When coming to delivery of stationery, Boshielo said most schools across all districts that had placed orders had received complete or nearly complete deliveries with cfull delivery expected within days.
Boshielo stressed that by 6 December they were expecting 100% delivery as the department was gearing up for an academic year without hiccups in 2020.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za