TWENTY-EIGHT SCHOOLS from historically disadvantaged communities will be transformed into "Focus Schools" over the next three years, specialising in Arts & Culture; Business, Commerce and Management; and Engineering and Technology, as part of the introduction of the new National Curriculum Statement. R49-million has been allocated for the initial development of these schools in each of the seven education districts of the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is to increase access and quality in subjects that were previously not available to all learners, and equip them with scarce skills needed in the marketplace.

Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore will launch the project at a function at the Mowbray Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology tonight (Monday, 28 November 2005) 18h00. The Focus Schools are among Premier Ebrahim Rasool’s "Krismisbox Delivery Campaign".

The establishment of focus schools is part of the government’s Human Capital Development Strategy, to provide young people with the relevant skills, knowledge and values they need to realise their full potential, lead fulfilling lives, contribute to building their communities, contribute to the growth of our economy, and be internationally competitive.

Focus schools are high schools that specialise in certain learning areas. These schools are expected to serve as pathfinders and lead institutions in their fields, offering quality education to ensure excellence in the nurturing and comprehensive training of learners with exceptional talent, interest or aptitude.

The department has set out to achieve a number of goals, including:

• Increasing the participation and success rate of learners, particularly from poor families, participating in the Further Education and Training band;

• Increasing the number of FET learners eligible for higher education; and

• Making higher education accessible to more learners.

Said Jenny Rault-Smith, Director of Curriculum Development in the WCED: "The 28 schools nominated are expected to draw up business plans and submit them to the department for approval. On approval of their business plans, they will be given funds to set up infrastructure.

"The nominated schools, however, are expected to find partners in their communities and business to help them develop and sustain excellence. The schools will build infrastructure in 2006 and bring in focus schools field subjects over the next three years.

"They will attract learners with an interest or aptitude in the selected fields and introduce an entry requirement from 2006 for registration in 2007."

The establishment of the 28 focus schools is part of government’s Human Capital Development Strategy, to provide our young people with the relevant skills, knowledge and values they need to realise their full potential, to lead fulfilling lives, to contribute to building our communities and economy.

Through the schools, we intend to increase access and quality in subjects that were previously not available to all learners, and equip them with scarce skills needed in the marketplace.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 550 3938.