Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

In the Western Cape 11 new schools are currently under construction.

2500 classrooms are required in the province - 1250 of those are needed in existing schools and 1250 classrooms are needed for new schools. These 1250 classrooms equate to approximately 41 new schools that are needed.

In terms of provincial analysis the Western Cape has a lower number of classrooms that need to be built than many other provinces. We are also trying to address a number of other capacity issues. The Capital Projects Budget for this year is R99-million rand in total, R37-million alone is being spent this year on new schools. 34 Capital projects are being addressed this year.

This Capital Projects Budget has to address a broad spectrum of needs such as extensions to existing schools, water and electricity shortages etc. 65% of this budget has been allocated to us by provincial government and 35% by national government directly.

61 schools have been built since 1995.

All needs that exist have to be placed in context. The WCED is exploring every means possible to address these needs and is trying to balance the broad spectrum of needs that exists.