Public interest law centre SECTION27 has urged parents, teachers and learners in Limpopo to report any textbook or workbook shortages to the nearest Department of Basic Education (DBE) office, following reports of textbook shortages in the province last year. 

Schools will open on February 15, under level 3 of the national lockdown. The DBE has assured that it will deliver textbooks and workbooks to schools before the start of the school term. The delivery deadline for Limpopo was January 15.

The organisation added that learners in Limpopo cannot afford any further interruption to their learning. It has previously taken the DBE in Limpopo to court for failing to deliver textbooks.

“The lockdowns imposed in 2020 to manage the spread of Covid-19 meant that many children were not able to attend school. The Department of Basic Education made learning material available for learners on television, through the radio and online but many learners in Limpopo did not have access to these. So it is all the more important that learners receive textbooks for every subject before the school year begins,” SECTION27 explained.

The organisation pointed out that textbooks and workbooks are a legal right for all learners. The Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed, in 2015, that textbooks are an essential part of the right to basic education.

School governing bodies, learner organisations, parents, learners and teachers’ unions are urged to report any textbook or workbook shortages, or incorrect delivery of these materials, to the nearest DBE office or to call, SMS or send a WhatsApp to Solanga Milambo on 071 777 9441.