The DBE and PEDs are currently finalising the distribution of critical Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSMs) to schools in preparation for the 2026 school calendar. Annually, both the DBE and PEDs are expected to deliver consignments of workbooks, school stationery, and textbooks to public schools to all 75 education districts for the enhancement of curriculum coverage from terms 1 to 4.

As outlined in the DBE’s LTSM Sector Plan, prior to the commencement of each school calendar, the DBE shares a sector plan with all provinces, which is a blueprint to guide them in the procurement of LTSM for their respective schools. The sector plan outlines key stages in the LTSM procurement and delivery process and projects time frames that need to be achieved for LTSM to be in schools as planned. Provinces are then requested to align their provincial plans with the national Sector Plan for the sustainability of effective LTSM delivery. The DBE is responsible for the development and distribution of volume 1 and 2 of workbooks categorised as follows: Grade R (11 official languages); Grade 1 to 3 Life Skills (11 official languages); Grade 1 to 6 Home Languages; Grade 1 to 6 English First Additional Language and Grade 1 to 9 Mathematics. In its Circular S6 of 2025, the DBE encourages the school principals or delegated school official to report any shortage of workbooks for urgent intervention. However, procurement and distribution of stationery and textbooks remain the responsibility of PEDs, whilst the role of the DBE is to monitor and support.

The Chief Education Specialist for LTSM, Mr Makondelela Tshitema, shares a breakdown of consignment delivery ranging from workbooks to textbooks. “The DBE started the delivery of volume 1 Grade R to 9 workbooks at the beginning of August 2025. The volume 1 workbooks are for use by learners in term 1 and 2, which stretches from January to June annually. As of 7 November 2025, more than 31 million workbooks were delivered to 22,424 public schools. The volume 1 workbook delivery is currently at 99.5%. The outstanding delivery will be completed before the end of November for small schools to receive both volume 1 and 2 consignments. Volume 2 workbooks delivery is currently at 28.6% and we are planning to deliver 70% volume 2 consignment to schools on 20 December 2025. The delay in the delivery of volume 2 Workbooks was due to the fact that the Free State warehouse was reportedly burnt with the printed workbooks, which required the reprinting of volume 1 workbook at that specific warehouse.

In terms of stationery, the delivery is progressing well in various provinces. Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces reported 100% delivery to schools, whilst the North West and Western Cape Provinces reported 92% delivery to schools. The delivery in other provinces is progressing at a slower pace and, as such, the DBE’s LTSM Unit is monitoring the delivery process through weekly virtual meetings instituted as from 5 November 2025.

In terms of textbooks, provinces are at various delivery stages. Limpopo and the Eastern Cape Provinces, for instance are at 96% on the receipt of the textbooks as distributed to their warehouse from suppliers. The Free State is at 86% delivery to schools whilst the Western Cape has reached 100% textbook delivery to schools. The other provinces are in the process of finalising their procurement processes. The LTSM Unit will be conducting an oversight visit to the provinces encountering delivery glitches to provide the necessary support whilst accelerating progress,” Mr Tshitema concluded.