Limpopo getting new textbooks early
2012-11-08 21:14
Johannesburg - Textbook deliveries to Limpopo schools for the new year will be done before Christmas, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Thursday.
"Deliveries to schools, final reconciliation of left-over stock, and further distribution to districts and circuits for possible school top-ups, will be completed by 7 December 2012," she told reporters in Polokwane, according to a statement issued by her office.
"The final administration of the entire project must be completed by 13 December 2012."
Publishers had been asked to reduce their prices. A total of 4.9 million textbooks had been ordered, at a reduced price of R236m.
This was a saving of 38%, compared to the lowest original price of R383m.
Procurement and delivery of stationery for the 2013 school year would cost R129.12m.
This was a 49.8% saving compared to the cost of stationery for the 2012 school year, which amounted to R259.8m.
"I am confident that come the first day of school, all the learners and educators will have learning and teaching materials," said Motshekga.
The department had procured textbooks for Grades 4 to 6, and Grade 11, as well as stationery packs for all grades.
The National Treasury had committed R380m for the 2013 procurement and delivery process, with additional funding for stationery packs, she said.
Deliveries to schools had already begun earlier this month, and would be accelerated to the rate of 200 a day.
Distribution company UTI would handle the deliveries.
"Publishers commenced with the delivery of stock to the central warehouse from 15 October 2012 onwards," Motshekga said.
This date was in keeping with the appointment of UTI (on 16 October) to ensure proper receipting of stock and planning for delivery.
About 95% of stock had already been received.
Information on delivery progress would be loaded every week on the department's website, and implementation would be monitored daily.
Motshekga and her department came under fire for failing to deliver textbooks to Limpopo schools timeously this year.
Lobby group Section27 said last week that some schools were still without textbooks.
- SAPA
