POLOKWANE – Teachers from the Technical High School Tom Naudé were forced to be absent from classes for most of yesterday (Wednesday) in an effort to track down their textbooks and Caps learner material, which had still not been delivered.
Acting principal, Cois Armer, said teachers were searching for the school’s outstanding textbooks at the department of education’s warehouse. By midday, the teachers had still not returned, he said.
Earlier this week, the lack of textbooks and other learning material was brought to Review’s attention by a concerned parent.
“The Limpopo department of education still hasn’t delivered the gr. 12 Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (Caps) English medium textbooks, but all the Afrikaans mediums received their textbooks. This will definitely not work out with them writing tests (at the) end of this term as well as writing preliminary exams in June,” the parent wrote in an e-mail.
“Please follow up with the authorities as the department states they delivered booksbut, if closely checked, one will notice that quite a few important items are short.”
Gr. 12 learners received their literature books as the same books were being used previously, but they did not received the following Caps textbooks, which encompass seven subjects: Afrikaans second language taal, English home language, mathematics, physical science (both chemistry and physics), engineering drawing, life orientation, and electrical technology.
Armer confirmed the situation, saying he was furious.
“Because of this, teachers have to do the department’s work to the detriment of the learners,” he said.
According to education spokesperson Phuti Seloba, the department had always maintained that they were not at 100% as yet. “In our previous statement we indicated that we were 99% there and that there were still schools short of certain textbooks,” he said.
Seloba said the majority of textbooks had been delivered and he appealed to school principals, school governing bodies and all responsible parents to call the department’s toll free number, 0800 265 266, with queries.
“We maintain that education remains a societal matter and as such we would like to appeal to all stakeholders to channel all their energy to positive contribution towards enhancing the quality of education of our beloved children.
“Those still short of learning materials should urgently contact the department using the number provided,” he said.
Armer said the school had already informed the department in November last year, and again in January, about the non-delivery of their books.
