Media Release
Minister of Education Donald Grant
Western Cape

23 May, 2013

WCED begins textbook procurement process for 2014.

Statement by Minister Donald Grant, Minister of Education, Western Cape

Over two years ago, I made a commitment to ensure that all learners in this province will have in their hands a textbook in every core subject they are taking by 2014. We are well on our way to honouring this commitment.

We have, in the last two years, successfully fulfilled the first two stages of this plan which is aligned to the implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in our schools.

In 2011, learners in Grades 1 to 3 and 10 and 12 received textbooks in core subjects and readers. Learners in Grades 4 to 6 and 11then received their textbooks in 2012.

I am delighted that the WCED has now begun the roll-out of the third and final stage of our plan.

The WCED would like to ensure that textbook orders are placed timeously so that we can stock our schools with the required textbooks well before the start of the 2014 school year.

This stage will include supplying all learners with CAPS-aligned textbooks in Grades 7 to 9 and further textbooks in Grade 12.

Schools have received a notice on how the procurement process for 2014 will be administered, with the relevant dates, deadlines and processes. A catalogue of textbooks for these grades has also been made available to schools in electronic format.

Schools have been requested to select their required textbooks using the WCED's centralised online ordering system which will be active from the 3rd of June 2013. Every school is required to sign off these orders by 14 June 2013.

In order to assist educators to make informed decisions about the textbooks they wish to order for the 2014 school year, the WCED has arranged for textbook exhibitions in each education district.

At the exhibitions, all the CAPS aligned textbooks that are included in the catalogues for 2014 will be on display. This will give educators, specifically subject heads, the opportunity to determine which books are most suitable in enhancing the delivery of the curriculum in their classrooms.

In Grades 7 to 9 the subjects requiring textbooks include, Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Creative Arts, Technology and Economic Management Sciences.

Learners in Grade 12 will receive textbooks in Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and three additional textbooks which are in line with their subject needs.

This final stage of the plan will cost R175.8 million. Over R277 million has already been invested in the first two phases. The total cost is R452.8 million over a three year period.

Altogether, this is a very substantial investment, but it is certainly worth it in supporting our teachers and learners in the delivery of the curriculum.

I appeal to schools to take this process seriously and to adhere to the deadlines for ordering set by the WCED. We would like to ensure that the textbooks ordered are delivered to schools by November, which will give schools enough time to report any wrong deliveries, shortages or errors before the end of the school year.

I am determined that this process will once again be the success it has been in the past.

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 724 1422 or bronagh.casey@westerncape.gov.za.

Media enquiries:
Bronagh Casey
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Donald Grant
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 021 467 2377
Fax: 072 724 1422