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Still no books for blind pupils

BLUNDER: Blind and partially sighted pupils at the Siloe School for the Blind at Thokgwaneng village in GaChenue, Limpopo, received regular textbooks intended for use by sighted pupils instead of getting books in Braille. The textbooks in Braille are still being adapted by publishers in collaboration with the department of education, a spokesman said. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA
BLUNDER: Blind and partially sighted pupils at the Siloe School for the Blind at Thokgwaneng village in GaChenue, Limpopo, received regular textbooks intended for use by sighted pupils instead of getting books in Braille. The textbooks in Braille are still being adapted by publishers in collaboration with the department of education, a spokesman said. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA

A school for the blind in Limpopo is still waiting for textbooks, eight months into the school year.

The Department of Basic Education has not honoured its promise to deliver Braille textbooks at Siloe School for the Blind in Thokgwaneng village near Lebowakgomo.

The school had been sent textbooks for pupils who have sight.

Several incidents of books being dumped or destroyed have been reported in the province.

Speaking on condition of anonymity yesterday, authorities at Siloe School, which accommodates 143 pupils doing Grades R to 7, confirmed they were still awaiting delivery of the books.

A source at the school, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said the department had promised to deliver the required books "soonest", but there had been no communication between them and the department as to when the delivery would be made.

"We have made several enquiries and were told the books for blind people were not ready yet," he said.

"I just don't know how it will be possible for the pupils to pass at the end of the year because the books have not arrived."

The department's director for enhancement of programmes, Allan Suban, confirmed yesterday that the printing of material for the blind was still under way, but referred all queries to department spokesman Panyaza Lesufi for further comment.

Lesufi referred the query to minister Angie Motshekga's spokeswoman Hope Mokgatlhe, who said the department had instructed the provincial department of education to handle the matter.

- frankm@sowetan.co.za

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