COUNCILLORS in Bulawayo are not amused residents are paying book levy to council while learners at municipal schools have inadequate textbooks.
According to the latest Bulawayo City Council minutes, ward 20 councillor Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi (Zanu PF) noted that book levy was paid to council, but when schools open, books are not delivered.
“The minutes also indicate that parents are requested to purchase textbooks for their children.
Councillor Mercy Furanayi, the minutes stated, concurred with Ndebele-Sibindi, saying parents are paying book levy, but are forced to buy their children textbooks.
According to the minutes, she enquired what the book levy was being used for.
In response, the housing and community services department said the book levy was being collected by schools and banked in council’s coffers.
“Textbook purchases are done by council. The money is very little for purchasing of textbooks for each child. This amount is ring fenced,” the minutes read.
Contacted for comment yesterday to explain further on the book levy, BCC corporate communications manager Nesisa Mpofu said she was attending a meeting and would find out about the matter later.
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