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Media Release

20 October, 2008

Vandalism down by 34% at W Cape schools

The following are answers to questions put to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) by the Cape Argus on 20 October 2008 on vandalism at schools and related issues.

1. How many schools have reported vandalism over the past five months?

A total of 198 schools reported 383 incidents of burglary and vandalism to the Safe Schools Call Centre of the WCED between May and September this year (2008).

Schools reported 512 incidents during the same period last year (2007), which reflects a decrease of 34%, or 129 incidents.

The number of schools that reported incidents of burglary and vandalism this year represents 13.6% of the 1 452 public schools in the Western Cape.

2. How many have been repaired?

The WCED allocates funds to schools for running expenses, including funds for minor repairs, such as broken windows, locks, lights and taps. Schools see to these repairs themselves, so we do not have statistic immediately available on these repairs.

The department assists schools on emergency repairs of a major nature. Most cases have been dealt with. Contractors are in the process of completing outstanding work for this year.

3. How much is the department spending on repairing vandalised schools per year?

The WCED spends about R1,8 million annually on repairing vandalised schools. This does not include funds spent by schools on repairs or by our Safe Schools Division, for example, on security infrastructure.

4. Do the criminals target the same things?

Yes. The main items targeted are: copper pipes; taps and basins; iron and steel poles and pipes; florescent light tubing; light fittings; electrical wiring and cables; copper sheeting; metal strips; fencing; and computers.

5. Further comment from the education department on how the vandalism is affecting education in the Western Cape.

Nariman Khan, Manager of the WCED's Safe Schools Division, replies as follows:

"The WCED condemns any act of vandalism and burglaries to schools. Schools are places of learning and should be respected as such.

"The WCED will put in place the necessary measures to safe guard schools. We are planning holiday patrols in high risk areas during the the December / January holiday.

"The Safe Schools Coordinators are also meeting with the Safety Clusters to discuss measures to protect property during the holiday period.

"Measures being considered include working closely with sector policing in respective areas. We will ask armed response companies to assist with additional patrols during holiday times. Safety Resource Officers and Learner Support Officers are planning holiday activities to engage learners actively during the school holiday.

"Safe Schools calls on communities to join hands in our efforts to safeguard our schools. There is much local communities can do to look after their schools.

For example, we are asking schools to give the name and contact number of relevant armed response companies to residents in neighbouring houses, so that they call for rapid response whenever necessary."



Issued by:
Paddy Attwell
Director: Communication
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 021 467 2531
Fax: 021 461 3694
Email: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za

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