The department of education in Limpopo is expected to meet with service providers amid reports that more than 500 schools in the province are experiencing textbook shortages.

Spokesman for the provincial department Naledzani Rasila said they would meet with two service providers to find out what had led to schools not receiving certain study materials.

This is after the provincial department made a presentation to the portfolio committee confirming that 531 schools did not have the Siyavula mathematics textbooks for Grade 10 and 11‚ while others did not have Tsonga textbooks for Grade 12.

“It is a concern. This is why we are having that meeting to get clarity from service providers‚” Rasila said.

Nelson Mandela Bay schools still waiting for textbooks and stationeryHundreds of Port Elizabeth pupils have been forced to beg‚ borrow or steal textbooks and stationery‚ because their schools have still not received their full annual allocations. 

Matakanye Matakanya‚ chairman of the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB)‚ said affected schools were under a lot of pressure because mid-year examinations were set to start soon.

“It is very disheartening for us as parents‚ particularly for the poorest of the poor. We want to condemn the behaviour of the department of education in Limpopo‚” Matakanya said.

He said pupils from affected schools would have nothing to help them prepare for the looming mid-year exams.

“What will they write without something to refer to?” Matakanya said.

The DA in the province released a statement calling on education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe and Premier Stan Mathabatha to be held accountable for the textbook problems in the province.

The province has in recent years experienced textbook shortages‚ resulting in legal action being taken against the department.

 -TMG Digital