A senior official from the Metropole East Education District of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) met leadership of the Silukhanyo Primary School in the Strand today to discuss recent vandalism at the school.

Thieves have removed aluminium window frames from several mobile classrooms. The official met the school governing body (SGB) and management team on Thursday (14 August 2008) to discuss alternatives. Nevertheless, parents locked the school this morning to demand repairs.

The WCED provides funding to schools in terms of national norms and standards, which includes funding for emergency maintenance, including broken windows. Our officials are working with the school to find the best way of using available funds to ensure repairs.

The district office will also work with the school on reviewing its safety plan. Every school is required to have a safety plan. These plans typically include ways in which the community can assist in looking after the school. The situation is expected to return to normal tomorrow.