24 Mar 2014

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele, has informed Parliament that he is aware that delivery in some schools takes long thus affecting the teaching and learning process.

Responding to a question from MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile, Mr Siele said the ministry, through councils, started the tendering process after the disbursement of funds to the councils through the revenue support grant in April of each new financial year.

He said the implementation of the Local Authorities Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2008 had brought in a decentralised approach to the procurement of stationery whose budget allocation was combined with science equipment.

Minister Siele further said the challenges faced by councils on distribution of stationery after procurement were due to transport constraints. He said for instance, a district such as southern with 111 schools was a logistical challenge when it came to delivery of stationery.

The minister noted that his ministry was taking into account the concerns and the ministry would ensure that tender processes were done timely such that delivery of stationery to primary schools was done between October and December of each financial year prior to schools opening in January.

MP Kesupile had asked the minister if he was aware that the process of starting deliveries of stationery to Primary Schools in January was hurting the teaching and learning process as this delivery of inadequate supplies goes for at least three months.

He said if that was the situation, the minister should state the reason for choosing to start supply in January and what he would do to ensure that schools are adequately supplied when they start in January. Ends