The Provincial Government of the Western Cape plans to build a new high school in Hout Bay as soon as possible to meet growing demand for high school accommodation in the area.

Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape, inspected a potential site in Hout Bay this morning (Friday, 2 September 2005).

Landowners have offered three sites for sale for the school so far. The site with the best potential is Kronendal Farm, which measures 5.7 hectares in extent. The site is currently being rezoned from agriculture to education.

Mr Dugmore visited the site this morning. Ideally, school sites should measure at least 3 hectares in extent. Kronendal Farm, along the main road opposite the Kronendal homestead, will provide sufficient space for the school.

The other two sites are considered unsuitable because of their size. They measure 0.741 and 0.821 hectares respectively.

The MEC wants to fast track the process. After the visit, he will submit a request to Marius Fransman, MEC for Transport and Public Works, on the preferred option. Property Management in Mr Fransman’s department would then have to acquire the site identified.

"I hope construction can start in 2006. I believe Hout Bay requires another quality public high school for all learners of the valley so that no-one needs to travel over the mountain to attend high school," Mr Dugmore said.

"Hout Bay Secondary is bursting at the seams and we just managed the 2005 admission process because of the fantastic response by Sentinel Primary to extend the curriculum to Grades 8 and 9 on request of the WCED.

"It was unfortunate that a similar approach was not adopted by Kronendal who were not prepared to extend the curriculum to accommodate additional Grade 8s, even for a limited period, and with mobiles being provided free of charge by the department with additional teachers.

"Some of these Grade 8 learners were then squeezed in at Sijonga Phambili in Imizamo Yethu while others are being bussed at great expense to the Cape Academy for Mathematics, Science and Technology in Constantia.

"What is required is a willingness by all to assist us in finding solutions for the 2006 school year and support the initiative to build the second high school as soon as possible."

Mr Dugmore said that a consultation meeting would be held during September to discuss preparations for the 2006 school year.

One way to speed up the process of building the new school would be to secure donations and other offers of support from the Hout Bay community.

"Normally it takes 18 to 24 months to complete the building of a school. I am hopeful that with the support of all, we would be able to start building in 2006. It is my dream to be able to complete the school during the course of 2007.

"We have already allocated R5 million for the first phase of the project. The date of completion will depend on many factors, including whether any objections will be lodged at various stages of the planning process.

"The building of a school in Noordhoek was delayed by the tabling of objections by some residents. The City and the Province have addressed these concerns, and we can move ahead with this process.

"No decision has yet been taken about any site. Once the WCED has come to a decision, we will request MEC Fransman to take the process further."

"Once we have a clear recommendation, we will continue with extensive consultation with all stakeholders."