Supporters of the Masimphumele informal high school in Khayelitsha protested at the head office of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) today (Monday, 23 May 2003), to demand recognition of the school as a public school.

The WCED has thoroughly investigated the situation at the Masiphumelele school. This investigation included checking the authenticity of documents submitted and the age of the learners concerned. Some of the learners are older than school-going age.

We are satisfied that the learners at this school can be accommodated in existing schools and an Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) centre in the area.

We have developed a programme for integrating these learners into other schools, in conjunction with the principals concerned. Key elements are:

• That the grade 8 to 11school-age learners be accommodated in already existing schools;
• That the curriculum offered in the existing schools be upgraded to accommodate these learners from Masiphumelele;
• That the Grade 12 learners be absorbed according to their streams into the various Khayelitsha secondary schools nearby; and
• That the ABET learners be encouraged to register at the Andile Nose Centre and continue their education under the supervision of the centre manager.

The WCED has conveyed these proposals to the community concerned so that further consultation can be arranged about putting them into effect. No response has so far been received to this approach.

We cannot justify the establishment of a new school when sufficient accommodation already exists in the area, and when the Department’s funds have already been committed to the establishment of schools in areas experiencing acute shortfalls.

The WCED is working closely with the Khayelitsha Education Forum to resolve education issues in the area. The forum represents a wide spectrum of organisations with interests in education.

At the beginning of this year, we established a Registration Centre in conjunction with the forum, which provided a valuable service to learners needing to find places in schools. The centre was an excellent example of how we can cooperate in resolving accommodation issues.

In the interests of the learners concerned, the WCED urges all concerned to help resolve the current situation at Masimphumelele as soon as possible.