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

Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore today (Thursday 24 July) welcomed an opportunity to meet with the Joint Refugee Leadership Committee of the Western Cape as the representatives of communities displaced by attacks on foreign nationals.

MEC Dugmore, together with Deputy Director-General for Institutional Development and Coordination Sindi Lingela and Communications Director Paddy Attwell briefed the leadership representatives on the department's strategy to support learners and provide education.

MEC Dugmore explained that the department deployed senior managers and district officials to more than 50 sites to identify children of school-going age needing special support. "The WCED worked with local schools, volunteers and donors to provide this support. The support was generally short-term and ad hoc, given immediate needs and the uncertain future of the sites.

"The WCED found very few children of school-going age in the sites. Most of the displaced children were pre-schoolers. There were about 99 children of school-going age in the sites at the end of June."

However the group informed the MEC that there are still some learners not receiving schooling, and the department will follow this up. They have also requested information on adult education and bursaries, which the department will provide.

The Joint Refugee Leadership Committee expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the senior leadership of WCED, and said they looked forward to continuing this relationship.

* For comment on behalf of the Joint Refugee Leadership Committee, contact Scot Dunlop 083 266 7302.

* Attached is the presentation made to the meeting by MEC Dugmore.

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

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

The Western Cape - A Home for All
INtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
Die Wes-Kaap - 'n Tuiste vir Almal