The Director-General of Basic Education has provided a response to the queries raised by SECTION27 about on-going textbook shortages. In this letter, the DG recognises that there are inadequate systems in place to monitor textbook delivery across schools in Limpopo and that this is aggravated by incorrect statistics on learner enrollment in schools. The DG has indicated that an external entity is conducting a head-count in schools. This is an important exercise in ensuring good public administration. In relation to textbook shortages specifically, the DG has welcomed reports of shortages at specific schools and undertaken to address these by no later than 10 May 2013.
We will continue to monitor the situation and encourage all schools experiencing textbook shortages to report these so that they may be addressed.
A copy of the letter can be read here DG DBE Letter 29 April 2013 textbooks