Minister Gwarube pledges timely delivery of learning materials during tender probe

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the investigation into the awarding of the R285 million textbook tender to Lighthouse Publishers should be managed in a manner that did not prejudice learners’ access to appropriate learning and teaching support materials. Responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Desiree van der Walt on Thursday,Gwarube said the investigation has not prevented publication of the catalogue. “However, it may affect aspects of the implementation timeline, including ordering arrangements by provinces, depending on the findings and any corrective steps that may be required.” Gwarube was responding to Van der Walt when she enquired about the progress made regarding the independent external investigation into the contract after it emerged in April that the department awarded a share of R285 million in the R1.6 billion textbook contract to the newly formedLighthouse Publishersdespite having no prior publishing history.

Van der Walt had also wanted to know the extent to which the investigation has impacted the publication of the Foundation Phase National Catalogue. Gwarube emphasised that both accountability and learner access must be protected. “The investigation is not intended to delay the provision of Learning and Teaching Support Materials, but to ensure that the catalogue process is lawful, defensible, educationally sound, and capable of implementation without exposing provinces, schools, or learners to avoidable risks.”