THE Department of Basic Education is ready for yet another legal challenge from education lobby group Section 27, spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said
Section 27, who had taken Minister Angie Motshekga's department to court to compel them to provide textbooks to public schools in Limpopo, said this week that it would file court papers expressing unhappiness with the department's catch-up plan and the delivery of textbooks and workbooks in the province.
"We have met all the demands from Section 27," Lesufi said. "Maybe if they take us to court again it is fine, we will close this matter once and for all."
Section 27 spokeswoman Nikki Stein said: There are 5,300 schools in Limpopo, and it is hard for us to keep track on all of them. We have been in constant contact with 14 schools, and a number of schools have also been in contact with us. The ones we have been in contact with have not received textbooks at all or they have received incomplete batches.
"We also do not believe that the recovery plan is detailed enough. There is a lack of detail in the plan and the department does not offer enough support to teachers and learners. For instance, the department is giving schools study guides, which they are expected to photocopy. They have not been given paper or money to make photocopies."
Stein also complained that the department had not been sending them monthly reports on the delivery of textbooks, or responding to their enquiries.
But Lesufi retorted: "I sent them a report on Friday. I am not sure why they are saying this. There is a joint committee for Section 27 and mediator Mary Metcalfe. Why are they not speaking through that? We have met all their demands."
Mugwena Maluleke of the South African Democratic Teachers Union said they were also unhappy about the delay in implementing the catch-up plan, but that going to court would waste more time. "The department needs to speed everything up to ensure that learners do not lose any more time," he said.
- monamat@sowetan.co.za
Another legal battle looms for Motshekga over Limpopo schools
THE Department of Basic Education is ready for yet another legal challenge from education lobby group Section 27, spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said
Section 27, who had taken Minister Angie Motshekga's department to court to compel them to provide textbooks to public schools in Limpopo, said this week that it would file court papers expressing unhappiness with the department's catch-up plan and the delivery of textbooks and workbooks in the province.
"We have met all the demands from Section 27," Lesufi said. "Maybe if they take us to court again it is fine, we will close this matter once and for all."
Section 27 spokeswoman Nikki Stein said: There are 5,300 schools in Limpopo, and it is hard for us to keep track on all of them. We have been in constant contact with 14 schools, and a number of schools have also been in contact with us. The ones we have been in contact with have not received textbooks at all or they have received incomplete batches.
"We also do not believe that the recovery plan is detailed enough. There is a lack of detail in the plan and the department does not offer enough support to teachers and learners. For instance, the department is giving schools study guides, which they are expected to photocopy. They have not been given paper or money to make photocopies."
Stein also complained that the department had not been sending them monthly reports on the delivery of textbooks, or responding to their enquiries.
But Lesufi retorted: "I sent them a report on Friday. I am not sure why they are saying this. There is a joint committee for Section 27 and mediator Mary Metcalfe. Why are they not speaking through that? We have met all their demands."
Mugwena Maluleke of the South African Democratic Teachers Union said they were also unhappy about the delay in implementing the catch-up plan, but that going to court would waste more time. "The department needs to speed everything up to ensure that learners do not lose any more time," he said.
- monamat@sowetan.co.za
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