24 February 2009
The Mpumalanga Department of Education refuses the allegations made by the
leader of the opposition party Mr Anthony Benadie that there is a crisis of
textbooks in Mpumalanga schools.
Schools re-opened on the 14 January 2009 and public representatives and
officials visited 681 schools and none of the schools visited cited a challenge
of textbooks.
Subsequently, the MEC for Education convened meetings with principals of
Ehlanzeni and Nkangala region respectively in all those meetings not even one
principal raised an issue on the shortage of textbooks. In fact, there were
indications that the consignments ordered were delivered on time.
It is not clear which school is the Democratic Alliance (DA) representing in
this regard. The department views the recent statement issued by Mr Benadie as
misguided and an endeavour to create confusion where there is none.
If Mr Benadie was objective with his survey he could have contacted the
department and presented names of the schools he claims to be representing
before making unfortunate public statements.
I want to believe that Mr Benadie knows that it is his responsibility to
report any default in the provision of education services to his colleague the
MEC for Education before making such allegations.
The department calls for Mr Benadie to appreciate that teaching and learning
is unfolding smoothly in this province.
Issued by: Department of Education, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
24 February 2009
