The Minister of Basic Education has met with principals of schools in Limpopo on two separate occasions.
During the meetings they discussed a range of issues affecting performance and the provision of quality education. These included Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM), stationary, nutrition, operational costs including water and electricity and water bills.
The Minister apologised for the delay in the delivery of textbooks and explained the circumstances that gave rise to the delay.
The principals gave the assurance that learning and teaching had taken place in all the schools for the first six months of this year. Workbooks on literacy, numeracy, first additional language and life skills had been delivered in January this year and were used, as well as the previous years’ readers and materials.
They indicated that for the Grade 10s teachers mainly used the previous years’ textbooks and included in their training on NCAPS last year was the identification of new areas and the retention of old areas. The principals in the main were of the opinion that no catch-up programme arising from the non-delivery of textbooks was necessary, but there are specific areas of difficulty for which catch-up programmes are necessary.
To be absolutely sure, the Minister agreed that the catch-up plan should cover the areas identified but should also ensure that any gaps created by the non-delivery of textbooks to the foundation phase and Grade 10 learners will be addressed in the catch-up plan.
The principals agreed to the provision of extra tuition on Saturdays and during the spring vacation for the affected learners. In addition, the enrichment programme for the Grade 12 learners would continue.
The Minister was grateful for the opportunity to interact and has noted all the concerns raised and will endeavour to address these in the shortest time possible.
Tomorrow, 2 August, the Minister will meet with all Education MECs to receive reports on their preparations to procure LTSM for 2013.
Enquiries:
Panyaza Lesufi
Cell: 072 148 9575
Call centre no: 0800 202 933
Minister Motshekga meets with primary and high school principals in the Capricorn District
