Statement by Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

A school bus accident this morning (Tuesday 11 March) involving about 40 learners and six staff members was a reminder for our schools, the community and the department once again to continue to be vigilant.

So said Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore in reaction upon hearing the news that the learners and staff members from Beacon School, Mitchell’s Plain, were involved in a bus accident on the R300 outside of Bellville, Cape Town early today.

They were on their way to a Special Olympics in Bellville when the bus overturned near the turnoff to the Stellenbosch Arterial road about 09h30. Beacon is a school for learners with special education needs.

Learners and staff were taken to the Mitchell’s Plain Day Hospital, the GF Jooste Emergency Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital for observation. Medics treated five learners for cuts, scratches and bruises.

One teacher, Ms Patsy Adams, received severe head injuries and is in intensive care in the GF Jooste Hospital and has been discharged late in the day. Ms Jean Schoonraad was discharged from a private hospital in Elsies River after receiving treatment for a back injury, while a third member of staff, Mr Michael Maart, was x-rayed for a possible shoulder injury.

By late this evening all those who have been submitted to the various hospitals have been discharged, except for Brandon Christie (8) and Sukayna Adams (10). MEC Dugmore visited the learners in the Tygerberg Hospital earlier to offer his support to the families concerned.

Officials of the Metropole South District office of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) went to the scene immediately on hearing of the accident.

Learners were clearly traumatised and the district office organised a team of counselors to provide trauma counseling. They included six school psychologists from the district office and one from the Agape special school, also in Mitchell’s Plain.

The relatively new, 60-seater bus is one of two operated by the school. The school used the second bus to return most of the learners to the school, where the school psychologists provided trauma counseling. Parents fetched learners from the hospitals in some cases.

Said MEC Dugmore: “Although the accident has come as a shock to all concerned, I am deeply thankful that there are no fatalities. The WCED will investigate the accident in consultation with the school and relevant authorities.

“This incident underlines the need for all of us to be continually vigilant. We have put in place stringent safety requirements for learner transport procured by the WCED and for transport schemes managed by schools themselves.

“I believe these measures have heightened awareness to adhere to strict guidelines, and I have no doubt that Beacon School followed the guidelines. However it is still important to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the accident.

“Once again I am appealing to our schools utilizing their own transport, WCED transport and transport contracted by themselves for outings to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to at all times.

“I want to thank all officials for their incredible support and assistance provided to the learners and teachers involved. Our department will continue to provide emotional support and trauma counseling.”

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

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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