Section 27 has taken the department of basic education to court for failing to deliver textbooks in Limpopo.

According to a report by the SABC, the North West provincial department said it would  not buy any textbooks for schools that had reported shortages.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Section 27’s Nicky Stein said it will definitely be getting in touch with all relevant stakeholders with a view to verifying the “textbook shortage” reports.

“We view the reports in a very serious light because textbooks are an essential part of basic education.”

The department reportedly described the procurement and delivery of textbooks as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

Stein said such remarks are in conflict with the very right to basic education.

“It’s the department of education’s responsibility to do whatever they can to correct the violation of the right to basic education and to ensure that what- ever impact on pupils is minimised as much as possible,” she was quoted saying on the SABC news website.

Meanwhile, on Monday another large batch of schoolbooks were found dumped in Limpopo at the Majeje dumping site outside Phalaborwa. Police spokesman Dineo Sekgotodi said they were among consignments of books due to be delivered to various schools by the department.

A case of malicious damage to property has been opened.
 – stevent@citizen.co.za