Statement by Yousuf Gabru, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

Nearly 1 million learners in the Western Cape will be on holiday from Friday 5 December and Yousuf Gabru, MEC for Education in the Western Cape, wishes them a safe and pleasant holiday.

"The summer holiday is a particularly vulnerable time for our children as everybody is in a festive mood, more alcohol is consumed and people are not as vigilant about safety. My plea to the community is to help keep our children safe. Every learner must also become more aware of their own personal safety, not experiment with substances, go off somewhere without the knowledge of their parents or a responsible adult or play dangerous games.

"We are in the middle of the campaign of 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children and this year's theme implores us not to ignore the reality about abuse and to act to prevent such violence."

The Western Cape Education Department's Safe Schools Division also arranged holiday programmes at specific schools. Some of these programmes will run until 19 December and will occupy learners with sport activities, arts and crafts and discussions about safety,

The presence of people on the school premises will also act as a deterrent to keep unwanted elements off the school grounds and prevent vandalism.

Safe Schools have put in place holiday security patrols at the 109 high risk schools in the province. Schools have also negotiated with their armed response companies to do extra patrols. Schools have furthermore engaged the school community as far as possible to be the eyes and ears on the ground and to notify specific officials in the event that they notice anything suspicious.

Mr Gabru has thanked educators and WCED officials for their work during the past year. He says the six week school holiday is the ideal time to recuperate and prepare for the new school year.

Schools reopen on 19 January 2009 for educators and 21 January for learners.

For enquiries, contact Millicent Merton:  072 724 1422 or mmerton@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