WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION MEC Cameron Dugmore has expressed his confidence that schools will be ready to receive the almost one million learners expected to flock back to schools this week. This includes about 80,000 new learners. At the same time the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has had to develop a contingency plan to deal with severe accommodation problems in certain areas.

Said MEC Dugmore: "My responsibility is to ensure that every learner has a place in our public ordinary schools.

"A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that we are ready for the 2006 school year. Our early admission campaigns in 2004 and 2005 have begun to bear fruit as more and more of our parents take proactive steps to apply early for admission of their children.

"Community meetings and open days were held in September last year. Our head office and seven district offices (Education Management and Development Centres) have teams in place to deal with those learners who still need a place at schools. I urge parents to call or visit these offices on Monday if they need help.

"What has assisted is that a record number of schools have been completed for the beginning of the 2006 school year, thus reducing the overcrowding in some of our schools.

"Our schools officially open on Wednesday 18 January, but teachers have to report on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 January to prepare for the intake. I know that many teachers and principals have been back at school for the last two weeks making sure that everything is in place. This is commendable.

"The WCED, through our circuit managers and EMDC directors will monitor the situation on Monday, paying particular attention to the attendance of teachers, human resource issues, learner transport, availability of textbooks and learner support materials, admissions and accommodation problems. Interventions will be made on Tuesday to make sure that any problems are resolved when learners arrive on Wednesday 18th.

"I am very happy that about 99% of schools have already received their materials, including textbooks and funding towards the end of last year. In some cases publishers had not been able to provide certain materials by the end of last year.

"However, we do anticipate some problem areas. We face huge pressures of overcrowding in some Khayelitsha schools, where two of our schools had to platoon in 2005.

"For example Sizimisele High School, has been platooning at the Lwandle Primary School in Khayelitsha. Our plan was to transport Sizimisele to Florida Primary in Ravensmead this year. However, the illegal invasion of Florida Primary by members of the Ravensmead community has made this impossible. The application to evict the illegal occupiers has still to be finalised in court. We are now trying to speed up the amalgamation of two primary schools in Elsies River, which would free up a school for Sizimisile. Our target is now 1 April.

"It is clear that we need more high schools in the Khayelitsha area. Our experience is that this is also the area hardest hit by influx of new learners, and therefor we have set up a registration centre in Site B from where learners will be suitably placed once their parents report. Together with the Department of Transport and Public Works, we are trying to fast-track the completion of four new schools in Khayelitsha for the 2006/2007 financial year.

"This year we are opening a record number of schools, which would accommodate over 10,000 learners and contribute greatly to alleviating pressures of accommodation, especially in historically disadvantaged communities.

"Lastly, I want to call on our principals and teachers to set an example and be punctual. It is important that we continuously improve the standards of discipline in our schools."

" My appeal is to teachers, learners and parents to work together to ensure that every one of our schools in the Western Cape is a place where teaching and learning takes place every day, from day one. Together we can build a learning home for all "

Contact details of Education Management and Development Centres:

EMDC Metropole Central (Athlone)
  Director: Mr Anthony Pietersen
  Tel: 021 659 4300
  Fax: 021 659 4413

EMDC Metropole East (Kuils River)
  Director: Mr Melvyn Caroline
  Tel: 021 900 7000
  Fax: 021 903 2149

EMDC Metropole North (Parow)
  Director: Mr Barry Volschenk
  Tel: 021 938 3000
  Fax: 021 938 3184

EMDC Metropole South (Mitchell's Plain)
  Director: Mr Eugene Daniels
  Tel: 021 370 2000
  Fax: 021 372 1856

EMDC Breede River / Overberg (Worcester)
  Director: Mr Clifton Frolick
  Tel: 023 348 4600   Fax: 023 342 4138

EMDC South Cape / Karoo (George)
  Director: Ms Bonnie Sesenyamotse
  Tel: 044 803 8300
  Fax: 044 873 3428

EMDC West Coast / Winelands (Paarl)
  Director: Mr Jannie Beukes
  Tel: 021 860 1200
  Fax: 021 860 1230

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