Application of Lean Management in the Provisioning of Textbooks

This book is conceived to assess the apparently simple but very critical process of supplying textbooks in the Eastern Cape (EC) public schools. Lean Thinking and Value Stream Mapping(VSM) philosophies, a derivative of the Toyota Production System, was applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the current process and propose improvements as measured by reduced time and more effective support for learners. Further, usefulness of policies employed from 1998, such as South African Schools Act (SASA), National Standards and Funding Norms (NSFM) and LSM Review Report in ECDoE (2003), that relate to provisioning of textbooks were also assessed. Thirdly, the effect of the current provisioning process at school level was also investigated. The factual information to answer the research questions was gathered using quantitative and qualitative techniques. The qualitative data was collected through partially-structured interviews with Provincial and district office Administrators, to gain insights into the process of supplying textbooks and the potential effects of implemented policies. Quantitative data was collected to assess the effect of the current supply process at school level.