Limpopo textbook problems continue despite Minister’s promises

THABAZIMBI – The DA stated in a press release that schools in rural Limpopo visited by the DA this week are still experiencing severe shortages of textbooks and other essentials. Numerous false promises have been made by Minister Angie Motshekga about 98% of books being delivered to schools but this is clearly not the case. Thabazimbi Municipality Councillors visited schools in Thabazimbi and surrounding areas in an unscheduled visit to establish challenges not only pertaining to the textbook problems, but also other struggles that the learners are facing. Mabogopedi High received English and Setswana Language books, but all the other subjects’ textbooks were in Afrikaans. Laerskool Thabazimbi received all their textbooks except Science. Deo Gloria haven’t received their Gr 1 workbooks, HFM and Groenvlei School is still waiting for the textbooks they ordered. The DA will meet with Education MEC Dickson Masemola next week to discuss what appears to be a widespread problem of textbook delivery that is affecting rural schools most acutely. The DA demands that these problems be addressed immediately. Children have a right to these basic essentials in their classrooms and do not deserve yet another year of non-delivery from the Education Department. The DA will continue its monitoring of schools in the coming days and weeks and report further shortages to the relevant authorities.

Thabazimbi Municipality Councillors visited Thabazimbi and surrounding schools during the week to monitor textbook and other challenges. On the photo, Mabogopedi teachers with TM Councillors.