By Eveline de Klerk
WALVIS BAY – Almost all government schools in the Erongo Region have received textbooks, the Director of Education, John /Awaseb has said.
/Awaseb said recently that at least 95 percent of textbook requirements were already delivered to schools for the current year. He, however, revealed that the government supplier ran out of some textbooks, thus the remaining books would be ordered directly from suppliers but this would not affect teaching in the region at all.
“Some of the government textbook suppliers were struggling to print more books, as a result, only 95 [percent] could be delivered. However, we are in the process of ordering the outstanding books for our schools,” /Awaseb said, adding that the rest of the books are expected to be delivered before the end of March this year.
According to /Awaseb, challenges experienced by the region with the distribution of the books are a thing of the past, as the directorate purchased its own vehicle fleet last year.
“We have acquired two trucks, six sedans, three Quantums, and one single and one double-cab bakkies, as well as a 22-seater bus already. At least four vehicles and the bus were already delivered and we are expecting to order another batch during the new financial year,” /Awaseb said.
/Awaseb also indicated that at least 70 percent of the region’s annual stationery requirement has already been delivered to schools in the region.
However, he said back orders of some items not yet received by schools were already done in January and these items would be ordered from private suppliers.
“Government stocks were not enough and schools were required to compile a list of all stationery not yet received so that the procurement office can order them directly from private suppliers to ensure that all schools receive their stationery,” he explained.