Parts of Limpopo still without textbooks

(File photo) Photo: Itumeleng English

(File photo) Photo: Itumeleng English

Published Aug 17, 2012

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Johannesburg - The lobby group Section27 has dismissed as untrue statements by the department of basic education (DBE) that the delivery of textbooks in Limpopo was almost complete.

“The department’s spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi described the situation in Limpopo as 'completely fine'. We don’t think this is true,” its spokesman Mark Heywood said in a statement.

Section27 was still receiving reports from Limpopo schools which had not yet received textbooks, he said.

Heywood said teachers were scared to speak out about the textbook issue because they had apparently been told they would lose their jobs if they did.

An anonymous teacher had sent an e-mail to Section27 reading: “The minister of education came to our district and threatened us not to talk to the media about the book shortages if we value our careers.”

Heywood said a catch-up plan approved by the portfolio committee on basic education in Parliament on Tuesday was not clear, and had not yet even started.

“It - the catch-up plan - provides no detail on extra classes for learners and training for teachers, despite the DBE agreeing with Section27 that extra lessons and training would be included.” - Sapa

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