temporarily after violent clashes between learners and South African Police
Service (SAPS)
8 March 2007
The Western Cape Education Department has temporarily stopped schooling of
the Masibambisane High School in Delft, following two days of clashes between
learners and the South African Police Service during which shots were fired,
resulting in at least three learners being treated for minor injuries, and one
having been arrested and held overnight.
The learners and some teachers are reportedly dissatisfied with the decrease
in the staff establishment, following a sharp decline in learner numbers this
year.
The WCED allocates posts on the basis of learner numbers. In 2005 the school
had 47 teachers for its 1 565 learners; in 2006, it had 48 teachers for its 1
600 learners. This year however, the number of learners dropped by 400 to 1
200. Therefore it qualifies for a staff establishment of only 38 teachers.
Even on the basis of this current module, the school still has an average
far beyond the norm, which is a learner: teacher ratio of 31,5:1. The school
has only 36 classes available.
Yesterday, about 150 learners took to the streets to protest against the
decrease of staff. When the police arrived to restore order, the learners
responded by throwing stones, and in the process caused damage to vehicles,
windows and whiteboards. The extent of the damages is still not clear.
The learners this morning again clashed with members of the police,
ostensibly because of the arrest and detention of a 15-year-old learner of the
school. He was released this morning.
In the light of concern for the safety and security of learners and
teachers, the WCED's Education and Management Development Centre ,Metropolitan
North office today decided that the school be dismissed earlier, and that there
will be no school tomorrow (i.e. Friday, 9 March) either.
Officials from the WCED are assisting the school with a revised time-table,
and are working with members of the School Governing Body, and the
Representative Council of Learners to ensure that school can return to normal
when learners arrive next week.
In the meantime, allegations of teachers instigating the violent behaviour
of the learners by spreading false information is seen as serious, said MEC
Dugmore. He said if any evidence of unprofessional conduct is produced, the
teacher(s) will be dealt with in terms of the necessary disciplinary
procedures.
Enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Tel: (021) 467 2523
Fax: (021) 425 5689
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
8 March 2007
