The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

It is with absolute shock that the IFP has observed the crisis that has
engulfed the Basic Education Department following the shock revelation that
a large number of textbooks have been destroyed in Limpopo, while most of
the schools in that Province are still lacking textbooks six months into the
school year.

"We note with great concern that there is currently a lot of blame-shifting
with regard to this crisis. The buck stops with the Minister of Basic
Education and the ANC-led government which has failed in the past and
continues to fail the children of South Africa, time and time again," said
Mr Alfred Mpontshane MP, the IFP's spokesperson on Education.

Mpontshane said that the IFP was of the view that heads must roll for this
latest education crisis.

"As a Member of the Committee on Basic Education I have been bitterly
disappointed by lacklustre response of Minister Motshekga. Within her
Department there is a monitoring and delivery unit which should have ensured
that this crisis was averted in this place. This entire unit must be
discharged. Moreover, the Director-General of the Department of Education
should do the honorable thing and resign with immediate effect," said
Mpontshane.

Mponthsane added that the IFP was also calling for the disbandment of the
entire Limpopo Education Department.

"It is shameful that 80% of the Limpopo's education budget is spent on staff
yet, they are running the education department like a spaza shop. We can no
longer allow a situation where taxpayers are expected to pay for public
servants who do absolutely nothing. In addition, it is these officials who
have presided over the burning of textbooks, which can only be regarded as a
national disgrace," concluded Mpontshane.