Question no 1418
Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether, with reference to the shortage of libraries, librarians at schools and the library manifesto, she has taken any steps to address this problem; if not, why not; if so, (a) what steps and (b) what is the current state of affairs?
Reply:
(a) Access to library services is a priority for the Ministry. Since 2006 the Department of Education has worked to expand access to library services within a practical and implemental framework and has not limited itself to building standalone library structures, given the historical neglect of such services particularly for schools serving the poorest communities. Although a large number of schools remain without libraries, this number has decreased by over 2 000 since the year 2000. This is with particular reference to stand-alone libraries, and not the range of activities the department is engaging in to expand access. The approach adopted by the Department of Education has been a developmental one, which has looked at expansion of library services at different levels, including:
* A focus on providing classroom library collections to strengthen support for National Curriculum Statement (NCS) implementation and reading at class and grade level
* Mobile libraries to serve a number of schools that have no access to libraries. Currently there are 21 of these mobile libraries operating in different communities across the country and serving just under 500 schools
* Strengthening school collections in community libraries and stand alone school libraries that serve clusters of schools
* Providing library books to schools whose libraries have inappropriate or inadequate library collections.
(b) Access to library services has therefore been expanded for a number of schools, using the approaches above. Key vehicles that the department has used include:
* The Quality Improvement, Development and Support Programme (QIDS UP) project, which has, since 2006, provided books and/or library furniture to 1060 schools
* Norms and standards for physical infrastructure approved by both the Council of Education Ministers and the Heads of Education Committee in 2008 make it obligatory for all new schools to only be considered complete if they make provision for library facilities. These are awaiting the concurrence of the Minister of Finance for finalisation. They do however provide for a school library as a standard
* The Department of Education has also recently finalised guidelines for school library services, with provincial participation, to provide practical guidance to provinces and schools on how to ensure access to such services for all schools. They provide guidance on matters such as:
* Staffing both in terms of dedicated library staff and utilising teacher librarians and/or library assistants
* The administration of a library
* Resourcing, including a proposed mix between fiction and non-fiction materials
* Managing access to services where the library is on school premises or outside school premises and therefore a shared resource e.g. access times; library rules; provision for different languages; access for learners with disabilities and other related matters.
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
25 September 2009
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
