C Dugmore on start of 2006 school year in Western Cape

15 January 2006

Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore has expressed his confidence that
schools will be ready to receive the almost one million learners expected to
flock back to schools this week. This includes about 80 000 new learners. At
the same time, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has had to develop
a contingency plan to deal with severe accommodation problems in certain
areas.

MEC Dugmore said, "My responsibility is to ensure that every learner has a
place in our public ordinary schools.

“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that we are ready for the 2006
school year. Our early admission campaigns in 2004 and 2005 have begun to bear
fruits as more and more of our parents take proactive steps to apply early for
admission of their children.

“Community meetings and open days were held in September last year. Our head
office and seven district offices (Education Management and Development
Centres) have teams in place to deal with those learners who still need a place
at schools. I urge parents to call or visit these offices on Monday if they
need help.

“What has assisted is that a record number of schools have been completed
for the beginning of the 2006 school year, thus reducing the overcrowding in
some of our schools.

“Our schools officially open on Wednesday, 18 January, but teachers have to
report on 16 and 17 January to prepare for the intake. I know that many
teachers and principals have been back at school for the last two weeks making
sure that everything is in place. This is commendable.

“The WCED, through our circuit managers and EMDC directors will monitor the
situation on Monday, paying particular attention to the attendance of teachers,
human resource issues, learner transport, availability of textbooks and learner
support materials, admissions and accommodation problems. Interventions will be
made on Tuesday to make sure that any problems are resolved when learners
arrive on Wednesday, 18 January 2006.

“I am very happy that about 99% of schools have already received their
materials, including textbooks and funding towards the end of last year. In
some cases publishers had not been able to provide certain materials by the end
of last year.

“However, we do anticipate some problem areas. We face huge pressures of
overcrowding in some Khayelitsha schools, where two of our schools had to
platoon in 2005.

“For example Sizimisele High School, has been platoon at the Lwandle Primary
School in Khayelitsha. Our plan was to transport Sizimisele to Florida Primary
in Ravensmead this year. However, the illegal invasion of Florida Primary by
members of the Ravensmead community has made this impossible. The application
to evict the illegal occupiers has still to be finalised in court. We are now
trying to speed up the amalgamation of two primary schools in Elsies River,
which would free up a school for Sizimisile. Our target is now 1 April
2006.

“It is clear that we need more high schools in the Khayelitsha area. Our
experience is that this is also the area’s hardest hit by influx of new
learners, and therefore, we have set up a registration centre in Site B from
where learners will be suitably placed once their parents report. Together with
the Department of Transport and Public Works, we are trying to fast-track the
completion of four new schools in Khayelitsha for the 2006/07 financial
year.

“This year we are opening a record number of schools, which would
accommodate over 10 000 learners and contribute greatly to alleviating
pressures of accommodation, especially in historically disadvantaged
communities.

“Lastly, I want to call on our principals and teachers to set an example and
be punctual. It is important that we continuously improve the standards of
discipline in our schools."

“My appeal is to teachers, learners and parents to work together to ensure
that every one of our schools in the Western Cape is a place where teaching and
learning takes place every day, from day one. Together we can build a learning
home for all”.

CONTACT DETAILS OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT AND DISTRICT CENTRES:

* EMDC Metropole Central (Athlone)
Director: Mr Anthony Pietersen
Tel: (021) 659 4300
Fax: (021) 659 4413

* EMDC Metropole East (Kuils River)
Director: Mr Melvyn Caroline
Tel: (021) 900 7000
Fax: (021) 903 2149

* EMDC Metropole North (Parow)
Director: Mr Barry Volschenk
Tel: (021) 938 3000
Fax: (021) 938 3184

* EMDC Metropole South (Mitchell's Plain)
Director: Mr Eugene Daniels
Tel: (021) 370 2000
Fax: (021) 372 1856

* EMDC Breede River / Overberg (Worcester)
Director: Mr Clifton Frolick
Tel: (023) 348 4600
Fax: (023) 342 4138

* EMDC South Cape / Karoo (George)
Director: Ms Bonnie Sesenyamotse
Tel: (044) 803 8300
Fax: (044) 873 3428

* EMDC West Coast / Winelands (Paarl)
Director: Mr Jannie Beukes
Tel: (021) 860 1200
Fax: (021) 860 1230

Enquiries
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
15 January 2006