inquiry into allegations of racism and access to education
25 November 2007
Earlier this year, Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore established a
Task Team to conduct an inquiry into various issues in the West Coast municipal
area, including allegations of racism, access, transport, school fees and
provisioning, after hearing complaints from members of the public and children
not attending school at the beginning of this year.
MEC Dugmore will meet with the members of the Task Team on Monday, 26
November 2007, 16h00 and will report back to the Laingville Community at a
public meeting thereafter, 19h00 in the local community hall.
The Task Team had the following brief:
1. investigate allegations of racism at Vredenburg High School where
learners from St Helena Bay complained of certain specific comments
2. investigate and advise on school fees at relevant schools
3. look at utilisation of available space and provisioning issues within the
relevant region, including learner transport and its effectiveness
4. ensure that any learner still not in school, is suitably placed as soon as
possible
5. review pass and failure rates of Grade 10 learners for the period 2005/06 at
the Vredenburg High School, with special reference to the learners from the
Laingville area
6. review relevant teacher and learner portfolios at Vredenburg High
School.
The Task Team met with all role-players and high school representatives and
analysed and advised the MEC on further steps. He will make public these
findings tomorrow.
For enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
Tel: 021 467 2523
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
25 November 2007
