Teachers union disagrees that textbook problems are now a thing of the past.

BURGERSFORT – Although the Limpopo Education Department said in a statement that shortages of textbooks were now a thing of the past the Professional Educators Union (PEU) disagrees.

“Problems are a thing of the past. We are now at 98% delivery to all the schools in Limpopo, the 2% remaining is because there were some publishers that delayed to deliver books, but every other book in the province has arrived,” said Ms. Dikeledi Magadzi MEC of education last week.

She vowed that the remaining textbooks would be available before the end of the school year.

This comes as a great relief to local schools after the province made headlines last year when thousands of learners attended school without books. But the teacher’s union’s statement indicated that schools should not get their hopes up too soon.

Spokesman for PEU, Mr Klaas Mohlatlole said that the union only agreed on the 98% of stationary delivered. “Our members in schools have noted non-delivery of textbooks in areas of Sekhukhune and Vhembe. In Sekhukhune and Tubatse local municipalities in particular, some schools have not received certain textbooks such as Sepedi grade eight and nine, NS and Tech grade nine, and Life Skills grade four.”

Mr. Mohlathole said the department has started delivering textbooks but has not finished. “It is surprising to get an announcement of completion when in fact they have just started. Delivery is scattered and schools are left not only with shortages but non supply in certain subjects. Now that schools closed last week Friday, perhaps delivery will be made during the holidays when principals are not there.”

He noted that the announcement of 98% cannot be correct for this province. “In Vhembe district, the department has not even started delivering textbooks. Teachers are still waiting. In Mopani district, delivery has just started. There is compliance in Capricorn and Waterberg because they are in towns.”

Mr Mohlathole said the union would only be satisfied once deep rural areas had also received textbooks.