Parliament Orders Public Protector Probe Into Foundation Phase Textbook Procurement
Education Committee escalates concerns over alleged irregularities in the new national catalogue process, warning of risks to textbook delivery for the 2027 school year.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has taken the unprecedented step of referring the procurement of South Africa’s new Foundation Phase textbook catalogue to the Office of the Public Protector. The decision follows mounting public concern and weeks of media reports alleging possible irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the Grades 1–3 catalogue.
Committee chairperson Joy Maimela said the referral was necessary to restore public confidence and ensure that the process withstands independent scrutiny.
“At this stage, the public is concerned. I am panicking as a parent, and I am panicking as a lawmaker, about whether there will be a textbook in the hands of every learner at the start of the school year,” she said.
The committee’s decision comes after reports that Lighthouse Publishing — registered for only three months — secured a major contract in the new catalogue.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) told the committee that the catalogue development process began several years ago, with publishers first notified in 2020 and a formal call for submissions issued in 2024.
Responding to allegations that Lighthouse lacked the capacity to deliver, the DBE said it had received a communiqué from Class Act Educational Services outlining the editorial and production support available for the project. The department also highlighted the introduction of a new “blind screening” evaluation system, which ensured that evaluators assessed materials without knowing the identity of authors or publishers.
Committee members noted that the previous catalogue was dominated by three publishing houses controlling seven titles, and said the new process must be beyond reproach to avoid perceptions of political or administrative interference.
Maimela said the Public Protector’s investigation should also examine the risk of delays in textbook delivery ahead of the 2027 academic year. “This is a very sensitive matter. We appreciate the Minister’s commitment to an internal investigation, but the committee believes an independent process is essential,” she said.
In a separate resolution, the committee agreed to refer concerns about the recruitment of two senior DBE officials — the Deputy Director‑General for Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring, and the Chief Director for Communications — to the Public Service Commission. The referral includes scrutiny of Minister Siviwe Gwarube's conduct in relation to the appointments.
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