More Limpopo schools without textbooks 

The Democratic Alliance has challenged the Limpopo Education Department to prove that textbooks have been delivered to all schools in the province.

The Department denied yesterday that no textbooks had been delivered for core subjects at Duiwelskloof Primary, two months into the school year.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has said that "at least 98% of textbooks had been delivered to inland schools".

The DA's challenge is simple: the MEC must meet us at Duiwelskloof Primary at 2pm today to see for himself what the truth is.

In a letter to parents dated 29 January, the principal apologises for the non-delivery of textbooks in core subjects and attempts to reassure them that teachers are doing everything they can to "keep academic standards high". He goes on to say that neighbouring schools have also not received books.

The Education Department claimed yesterday that it now has a very sophisticated system that tracks what textbooks have been delivered to each school.

If this is the case, let this data be made public.

The DA is not asking for spin from the Limpopo Education Department. We are asking that schools without textbooks in the province be serviced immediately

In addition to Duiwelskloof Primary, a telephonic survey by the DA yesterday found the following textbook shortages in critical subjects at schools:

• Maselesele Primary School (Modjadji) - Grade 5 Maths, Life Skills; Grade 4 Maths, Social Science; Grade 7 Maths
• Bolobedu Primary School (Setlhakoni Village) - Grade 6 Maths
• Bolotswi High School (Seaphole Block 17) - Grade 11 Agriculture and Sepedi
• Femane Primary School (Femane Village) - Grade 1 Sepedi, English, Life Skills; Grade 3 Maths
• Khumelong Primary School (Seaphole Block 17) - Grade 3 Maths
• Leakhele Primary School (Madumeleni) - Grade 4 Maths

The DA calls on the Education Department to act on the textbook shortages without delay.

Statement issued by Jacques Smalle MP, DA Limpopo Provincial Leader, February 7 2013

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