The Eastern Cape Department of Education said it would accelerate the delivery of outstanding learner and teacher support material to schools in the province.
This, after the DA complained that at least one school in Nelson Mandela Bay had not received its full compliment of books.
Bhisho Education Department spokesperson, Mali Mtima, said they're aware of the delays that have occurred as a result of procurement processes which were concluded late last year.
He said as a result deliveries only commenced during the second week of this month, affecting learning and teaching in some schools.
“The Eastern Cape Department of Education will accelerate the delivery of outstanding learner, teacher support material which is expected in various schools in the province.”
“The department has increased capacity in warehouses to ensure that sorting and packing happens much quicker than usual,” said Mtima.
“The operations in all our warehouses have been heightened to ensure that schools receive their textbooks as soon as possible.”
“The department has been delivering top up textbooks to schools which could not retrieve books from learners or where learner enrolment increased beyond what was projected last year,” Mtima said.
“We urge parents and learners to ensure that text books are returned at the end of the school year for the benefit of other learners. A textbook has a life span of 5 years and if all books were returned it would save the department millions which would be used in other priority areas.”
“The department has urged schools to report any shortages of textbooks to district offices. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all deliveries take place,” Mtima said.
