1. Since its establishment in 1995 the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has been constantly confronted with the challenge of addressing educational needs in the province adequately to ensure that all learners are afforded quality educational opportunities.

2. This implies the building of new schools on a continuous basis where the need is the greatest, but at the same time ensuring that existing available facilities are optimally utilised.

3. In keeping with this policy, the WCED has decided to draw up education plans for the rural EMDCs. These draft plans which will serve as discussion documents during talks with school communities so that they can ultimately be finalised, include the following:

  • Closure of small schools with fewer than 25 learners

  • Closure of small schools with more than 25 learners where the closure is requested by the school community and the WCED is convinced that the request is justified

  • Placement of educators affected by the closure in accordance with existing agreements

  • Amalgamation of schools in smaller towns where there is no justification for separate schools

  • Extension of curriculum to Grades 8 and 9 where practically possible, so that learners can attend school from their parents’ residence for as long as possible

  • Extension of medium of tuition so that the growing number of learners with a need for this can receive tuition through the medium of English/mother language

  • The extension and curtailment of learner transport shemes. The argument here is that learners cannot be transported by departmental transport schemes to a school in another town if there is a suitable local school

  • Establishment of FET institutions with subject offerings which are in line with the town's global needs
4. The following modus operandi is proposed:

  • An Education Forum, consisting of the principal and the governing body of each school involved, and the circuit manager (the facilitator) will be established for each town. Other role-players may be invited as desired.

  • Global planning for the provision of education for each town will be done in conjunction with the Educational Forum. Optimal usage of each school building will be the point of departure.

  • Consultations will be held with employee unions.
5. Final decisions in respect of the education plan will only be taken after

  • all communties involved have been properly informed.

  • in the case of possible closure or amalgamation of schools, as well as the phasing out/curtailment of transport schemes, public hearings at which all interested parties could deliver their input have been held.

  • the above-mentioned input has been submitted to the MEC for Education.
6. As this is a very sensitive matter, the WCED will strive to treat it as such.

7. This circular replaces Circular 0042/2003 and must please be brought to the attention of all persons concerned.


SIGNED: R.B. SWARTZ
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:10:29