The Department of Basic Education has thrown its weight behind the centralised procurement system.

Education Minister Angie Motshekga says although the centralised system has failed in KwaZulu-Natal after 5000 schools were left without food for its feeding schemes, the system would allow contractors the opportunity to negotiate prices and save costs if implemented correctly.

The minister says her department has encountered problems in the intervention process and has raised it with Treasury.

Her comments come as schools with feeding schemes have had to feel the pinch of not being able to provide basic meals for impoverished children. In some cases, schools were forced to end classes due to children being hungry.