The Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Wednesday dismissed accusations of impropriety in its textbook catalogue development process, asserting that it uses a  “rigorously controlled, anonymised” screening process to ensure “objectivity, fairness, and accountability”.

The department said it noted questions about the integrity and transparency of the processes underpinning its textbook catalogue.

Following a News24 exposé which brought to light allegations of irregular textbook procurement, the DBE has been pulled into another scandal in which a publisher has allegedly inflated prices of teaching aids.

The DBE said it uses blind screening methodology to safeguard the integrity of decision-making and foster competitive pricing for cost-effective and equitable procurement of learning and teaching support materials.

The department said its catalogue development process undergoes a multi-stage quality assurance system.

“All submitted materials are first subjected to a rigorous screening process in which non-curricular identifiers, including publisher and author details, are removed to ensure impartial evaluation based solely on curriculum alignment and pedagogical merit.

“Only materials that meet these stringent quality standards are considered for inclusion in the catalogue,” it said.

The department explained that thereafter, pricing considerations were applied, with the three most cost-effective compliant titles selected.

“In instances where fewer than three submissions meet the required standards, the qualifying one or two titles are automatically included,” the department explained.

While acknowledging concerns about high prices from Fulu Publishers, the publisher accused of inflating prices of teaching aids, the DBE clarified that pricing was not the initial determiner for inclusion, but said the issue is being addressed using established procedures, noting the prices were considered "excessive".

“It is important to emphasise that inclusion in the catalogue does not constitute a guaranteed sale of listed materials as stated in the Terms of Reference for the Foundation Phase catalogue. The catalogue sets a ceiling price, and all purchasing decisions remain subject to strict value-for-money considerations,” said the DBE.

The department is engaging provincial education departments to address pricing anomalies, including the option of excluding materials that do not meet cost-effectiveness thresholds or entering negotiations with publishers to align prices with comparable offerings.

“The department further reiterates that it does not compromise on quality under any circumstances There are instances where no materials are listed for certain subjects despite submissions being received, precisely because none met the required standards,” the DBE noted.