THE OPENING of a new school in Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain represents a major investment in our efforts to provide a Learning Home for all our children. This is also an investment in the future of this suburb and the province as a whole, says Western Cape MEC for Education Cameron Dugmore.

"Since most of the learners are Afrikaans and Xhosa speaking, the opening of this new school will also give us an exciting opportunity to develop a language policy to build on a mother-tongue based bi-lingual education policy.

"I have asked our Language Implementation Unit to engage with the Education Management and Development Centre (EMDC) and the interim governing body to develop a language policy for the school. I want to ensure that both Xhosa as well as Afrikaans speaking learners will have an opportunity to a solid foundation in their mother-tongue. This will inform the process of the appointment of teachers," said MEC Dugmore.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will open the new school at the start of the 2006 school year. The new school, called Mitchell’s Heights, is well designed and has been built to the highest possible standards.

The school will offer Grades R to 9 and will especially meet the dire need for accommodation in Grades 8 and 9 learners in the area. The WCED will appoint an acting principal from 1 November 2005 and will transfer permanent staff to the school with effect from 1 January 2006.

The Circuit Manager, Ms Prudence Demas, will work closely with the new principal and staff as they prepare for the first intake of learners on Wednesday, 18 January, the first day of the 2006 school year.

The local EMDC of the WCED started registering learners for the new school on 3 October 2005. Those with queries about the new school, or who need application forms, can contact Ms Lynette Vermeulen at (021) 370-2028 or Mr Joseph Moses at (021) 370-2114, or visit the EMDC in AZ Berman Drive, Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain. The deadline for applications is 25 November 2005.

Said MEC Dugmore: "The opening of this school is part of our overall efforts to provide quality education to all our learners, to achieve the desired outcomes as contained in our Human Capital Development Strategy.

"We greatly appreciate the excellent support the community has given to this project so far. The local community has supplied much of the labour for the building work. Thanks to this support, we have no doubt that this school will contribute significantly to building better lives for all in Mitchell’s Plain.

"In our efforts to provide a learning home for all, we have earlier launched extensive campaigns to remind parents to enroll their children for school next year, and have had Open Days at selected venues for parents to get advice on enrolment.

"Similarly, we are inviting parents and guardians who would like their children to attend Mitchell’s Heights to apply for admission as early as possible, before 25 November 2005."

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.