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Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga (MP) visited Limpopo Department of Education on the 24 and 25 July 2012. The Minister’s visit is part of her oversight responsibilities to all provinces.

On the first day, Minister and MEC Namane Masemola (MPL) met with senior management of the Limpopo Department of Education to discuss the following:

• The department's readiness to conduct the Annual National Assessments
• Preparations for the 2012 National Senior Certificate (NSC)examinations
• Progress report on Post provisioning (filling of posts) for the 2012 school year
• Mop-up report on the procurement and delivery of textbooks for 2012 and;
• Progress report on the procurement and distribution of textbooks and stationery for 2013
• To strengthen information sharing between the department and schools.

The Limpopo Department of Education presented a detailed catch-up plan informed by the analysis of the work done, and the gaps identified by teachers. The department did a detailed analysis of the content of the National Curriculum Statement () Grades 10 to 12, and the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 12 Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).

This analysis clearly indicates that the difference between the National Curriculum Statement and the National Curriculum Statement CAPS is minimal, and that schools were able to cover a substantial amount of work using the old NCS Grades 10 to 12 textbooks as also evidenced by the information provided by schools. Instead, the analysis of the information from schools showed the main issues were not around lost time because of late delivery of textbooks, but more on the difficult areas of the curriculum where teachers continue to need support in general.

At the end of the meeting the department and the principals agreed that in view of the fact that the challenge was mainly around general curriculum support, the catch-up plan will focus on the delivery of subject guides focussing on the few new topics in the new curriculum, and mainly on what teachers find challenging to teach. The meeting also provided the department, school principals and curriculum advisors an opportunity to share experiences. There was a clear commitment from all parties to work together to deal with other longstanding challenges in the system.

"I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by our principals and curriculum advisors of this district, despite the difficulties they are facing. I will continue with similar oversight visits in other districts," said Minister Motshekga.