Chairperson, the response is as follows. In general, provinces are expected to deliver textbooks within three weeks following the beginning of the year.
In response to the second part of the question, (a) and (b), the answer is no. The management and monitoring of the delivery of textbooks is a provincial competence. The Department of Basic Education does, however, undertake random checks.
With regard to the third part of the question, the answer is yes. The timeframes for the release of the national catalogue of textbooks have been brought forward to facilitate early procurement and distribution of textbooks by provinces. I might also add that the number of textbooks that appear on the list has been reduced in order that you do not have a wide and diverse range of textbooks being provided, and challenges with regard to their acquisition.
The Department of Basic Education will monitor the availability of textbooks in schools in the 2012-13 year. Thank you.
Particulars of strategies regarding recapitalisation of further education and training colleges and universities in Eastern Cape
41. Mrs E C van Lingen (DA) asked the Minister of Higher Education and Training:
(1) Whether he has put any strategies in place with regard to the recapitalisation of (a) further education and training colleges and (b) the universities in the Eastern Cape since 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, what (i) are the reasons for the recapitalisation, (ii) is the funding amount available, (iii) are the outcomes of the projects and (iv) are the further relevant details;
(2) whether flagship institutions have been identified; if not, why not; if so, (a) which institutions will be considered as flagship institutions and (b) what are the further relevant details;
(3) whether any of the institutions will be revamped under new mentorship; if not, why not; if so, (a) which institutions and (b) at what cost? CO284E