Decision not to proceed with Tender No EDO 400

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10 December 2009

The Department of Basic Education has decided not to proceed with Tender Number EDO 400: Appointment of a service provider/higher education institution/non governmental institution to develop workbook packages for learners in Grades one to six in literacy and numeracy that are aligned to lesson plans for the foundations for learning.

The above tender was advertised on 13 November 2009 with a closing date of 27 November 2009. Following a rigorous evaluation of the bids received, it has become clear to the department that the primary objective of delivering quality materials to schools to assist learning and teaching would not be achieved were we to proceed with the tender. The department has thus decided not to proceed with this tender.

The department remains committed to the provision of high quality learning and teaching support materials to schools and teachers in 2010 and beyond. The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshekga, MP, has reiterated that “the provision of high quality learning and teaching support materials is central to the national literacy and numeracy strategy of my department.”

The Minister has directed the department to design a new process, with realistic timelines, to ensure that the department meets the key objective of providing a workbook to every learner from Grades R to six in support of improved numeracy and literacy rates in our schools. The Minister has instructed the Acting Director-General, Mr Bobby Soobrayan, to ensure that the materials developed through this new process are credible, aligned to the curriculum and will assist teachers and learners to achieve the relevant learning outcomes.

The Minister said, “I am satisfied that the Grade R materials and lesson plans developed as part of the Foundations for Learning Campaign are of the required standard and have instructed my department to ensure that these packs are provided to all schools in time for the start of the 2010 school year. “The department will accordingly proceed with the development of the materials for Grades one to six and announce the process to be followed in this regard in due course.

Curriculum and materials development experts will be closely involved in the new process to ensure that proper quality assurance of the materials happens. The department acknowledges that rigorous school based testing will also have to be done to ensure that the workbook activities for learners meet the high standards that the curriculum demands.

The Department of Basic Education remains committed to the provision of evidence based high quality workbooks as a key element in our national strategy to improve literacy and numeracy levels in all our schools.

The department regrets any inconvenience caused by the withdrawal of the tender.

Contact person:

Dr Granville Whittle (Chief Director: Media Liaison and National and Provincial Communication)
Tel: 012 312 5024
Cell: 072 148 9575

Issued by: Department of Basic Education
10 December 2009
Source: Department of Basic Education (http://www.education.gov.za)