Question NW130 to the Minister of Basic Education
01 March 2024 - NW130
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether, with regard to textbooks issued and/or funded by the government that are meant to be distributed to schools throughout the Republic, all (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have received their textbook allocation for the 2024 academic year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether the total number of textbooks allocated for schools match the total number of enrolled students in both (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(1) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has the responsibility to develop the National Catalogue which lists all Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) and from which Provinces have to procure for their respective schools. Subsequently, the DBE develops a sector plan which is a guide for provinces to develop their aligned provincial management plans for procuring learning materials for the ensuing year. The Sector plan details the procurement activities and timeframes to be observed when procuring any learning material. The Sector plan is attached as reference, as to when provinces can start with the procurement processes.
(2) The procedure is that Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) receive their budget allocations from their respective Provincial Treasuries to carry out their activities, amongst which is the buying and distribution of textbooks relative to the number of enrolled learners per school (see attachment). The detailed information regarding receipt and amount of budgets / allocations received, can be requested from the Provincial Education Departments. The Honourable Member is kindly advised to source the details from the Province(s) concerned.