19 January 2006
Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and Education MEC Cameron Dugmore
expressed satisfaction that the vast majority of schools had a smooth start
across the province, thanks to good preparation by the schools and the Western
Cape Education Department (WCED). The fact that 15 new schools were completed
for the start of the 2006 school year has greatly assisted in meeting some of
the accommodation needs in the province.
However, after meeting with some of the top management officials of WCED
yesterday, MEC Dugmore said some challenges remain, especially with regards to
accommodation and late registrations.
Yesterday, MEC Dugmore, together with representatives of the Provincial
Youth Commission, visited the Manenberg High School, where a 17-year-old
learner Cheslyn Jones was stabbed to death last year.
The principal thanked the MEC, the WCED and the community for their
continuous support after the stabbing incident. MEC Dugmore pledged his ongoing
support to the school. Parental involvement and social problems remain constant
challenges.
At the Hlengisa Primary in Nyanga, MEC Dugmore announced that this school
qualifies for Teacher Assistants (TAs), who will be employed in Foundation
Phase from the second term of school.
Premier Rasool joined MEC Dugmore at the third school, Matthew Goniwe High
in Khayelitsha. Their matric pass rate of 80% in 2003 plummeted to just 43% in
2005.
Premier Rasool said the school was named after a very important person, who
died in the struggle against apartheid. He warned that learners and teachers
who are continuously late, stay away too often, and are disruptive to the
education of fellow learners, will be acted against.
The last school to be visited by the entourage was the Bloubergrandt
Secondary School in Table View, which is one of the 15 new schools which opened
its doors yesterday.
Premier Rasool and MEC Dugmore inspected the facilities and expressed
satisfaction. Addressing the media afterwards, Premier Rasool said the school
presents an opportunity to be an example for the rest of the province and
country, since it is a fully integrated and new school.
Officials of the WCED visited various schools, paying particular attention
to the punctual attendance of teachers, human resource issues, learner
transport, availability of textbooks and learner support material, admissions
and accommodation problems. They will continue to do so today and intervene
where necessary.
Said MEC Dugmore: "We have experienced a few logistical difficulties in
providing furniture to especially the new schools, but in general, the
necessary furniture and equipment is in place.
"Schools received about 99% of their supplies of learning support materials
before the term began, and attendance has generally been good by both learners
and teachers across the province.
"We have had problems with learners switching schools and parents arriving
for the first time to enrol learners. These problems complicate planning, but
are not insurmountable.
"Meanwhile, some areas continue to experience pressure, and schools and
officials have worked hard to resolve these issues jointly. In Khayelitsha, for
example, Sizimisele High School has been sharing premises with Lwandle Primary
on a platooning basis.
"We planned to transport Sizimisele learners to the empty Florida Primary
School in Ravensmead, but the illegal invasion of local residents made this
impossible. Lwandle Primary has now refused to accommodate Sizimisele any
longer on a platoon basis. We will now accommodate these learners by
transporting them to premises in Leiden, Delft, pending the court case.
"Some parents protested at the department's decision to close Bridgetown
East Primary school. The school was no longer viable because of dwindling
numbers of learners at the school. The school is built for 600 learners whereas
only 106 learners were enrolled at the school.
"We closed the school following a long period of consultation. A situation
had developed where four educators were having to teach across 7 grades. This
was not only unsustainable but also not in the best educational interests of
the learners. Bridgeville Primary has space, enough teachers and is located
less than 1 km from Bridgetown East Primary. I want to appeal to parents to
co-operate in the best interests of their children.
"The only serious problem encountered yesterday, was at the Umyezo Wama
Apile Combined School (Grades 1 - 12) in Grabouw, where the principal was
absent for the whole week, with the result that no planning was done, no
time-tables available, and no textbook distribution to learners could take
place.
"In fact, the situation was chaotic and learners and teachers wandered
around aimlessly. I have asked the department to act in the strongest possible
terms against the principal, and to normalise the situation so that learning
and teaching can start as soon as possible."
For enquiries, contact: Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
19 January 2006
