Overall, the Committee found many indications of positive preparations made in terms of readiness to start the school year in 2013. Provinces and districts had put requisite plans in place, in varying degrees, to ensure effective teaching and learning. These included interventions and initiatives to assist schools to deal with poor performance. Textbooks, workbooks and stationery were delivered to the majority of schools, the process having begun in 2012. Teaching and learning had commenced on the first day of the academic year, in many of the schools visited. Teachers had received the necessary training to implement CAPS in most schools. Some schools had developed plans detailing strategies for learner improvement. The Committee also found that the National School Nutrition Programme, which advances learner wellness and thus impacts on quality teaching and learning, had also commenced smoothly in many schools. In addition, schools had received their tranche of the norms and standards funding.