COSATU Statement on the Limpopo Education Crisis

COSATU is dismayed at the ongoing Limpopo textbooks delivery crisis.

The buck passing by the Department of Basic Education, relating to this entire debacle is a stark example of what happens when mediocrity and incompetence are institutionalised.

COSATU strongly believes that part of the problem emanates from the outsourcing of crucial education services such as the printing and distribution of textbooks and other learner support materials.

The situation in Limpopo aptly demonstrates what happens when the future of working class children is placed in the hands of incompetent government officials and the so-called invisible hand of the market.

COSATU believes that the privatisation of printing and distribution of learner support materials is tantamount to auctioning the future of working class learners.

The federation demands an investigation into the business conduct of Edu Solutions as a company. Edu Solutions has a long history of incompetence, gross over-pricing as well as late delivery of learner support materials in many provinces.

We call on the ANC government to strengthen its monitoring and evaluation capacity and discharge its electoral mandate which includes making education one of government's five priorities.

We also call on government to develop its internal capacity to print and deliver learner support materials as opposed to relying on expensive and profit driven companies like Edu Solutions.

Statement issued by Phindile Kunene, Shopsteward Magazine Editor, COSATU, June 25 2012

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