JOHANNESBURG -  In recent months Limpopo has been making headlines following the “embarrassing” textbook scandal.

The department has been taken to court on a number of occasions by Section 27 on the basis that the department violated the pupils’ right to quality and basic education.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, national spokesman for the department, Panyaza Lesufi confirmed  the “catch up” programme, which seeks to recover lost time during the year because of the non-delivery of textbooks to several schools, will be launched on Wednesday.

“I don’t want to say much as yet about the programme itself, except that it’s a multi-million rand programme which has seen about 17 companies from across the country join hands with the department in a bid to redress the problems experienced in the province.

“We have already concluded negotiations with teacher unions as well in regard to the programme, and therefore I’m confident that we will be able to turn the tide,” he said.

Lesufi said the  companies  will assist in terms of broadcasting and study camps among other things.
Commenting on the Eastern Cape, which has also been in the news over issues of corruption, he  said he was not worried.

- stevent@citizen.co.za