In particular, the first priority identified in "Tirisano" (Call to Action) - "to make our provincial system work by making co-operative government work" - was clearly in line with the purpose of the visits of the delegations to the provinces. The Minister, Prof K Asmal pointed out in "Tirisano" that the three largest provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Northern Province were the poorest provinces with the largest backlogs of school buildings and services. It was for this reason that the delegations have identified these three provinces for a study tour.