South Africa’s education system is beset by a multitude of problems, and prominent amongst them is the government’s inability to provide the necessary learning materials on time. The 2012 textbook saga not only highlighted the inefficiency of textbook distribution, but also the high cost of printing and transporting the material to more than 23 000 public schools.

This paper will focus on some alternatives to the traditional printed textbooks that may offer a solution to the challenges regarding shortages and delivery of textbooks.

Written by Kenny Pasensie, Researcher at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference
Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO)