Statement by Donald Grant, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

MEC Donald Grant has today condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the disruptions of the National Senior Certificate Examinations at Langa Secondary School.

"We will not tolerate this kind of thuggish behavior and will do all that is necessary to protect the rights of learners who are currently writing matric exams," Grant said.

Upon receiving reports that the examinations had been successfully disrupted at Langa Secondary, MEC Grant immediately contacted the MEC for Community Safety, Lennit Max, to request that the police crackdown on the disruptions.

"I have formally requested Minster Max to step up the visibility of patrols in the Langa area to ensure that there are no similar such disruptions in the weeks ahead. Both Minister Max and I are extremely angry at what has happened today and we are determined that the culprits will be punished," said Grant.

A number of other schools were also affected by dissatisfied learners from Lagunya Finishing School, these include Kulani Secondary, where attempts to gain access to the premises were contained by the police.

"The police must also be commended for ensuring that both Ikamvalethu Secondary and Isilimela Secondary were not disrupted," said Grant.

Grant said that the motive for the disruptions appears to be unhappiness regarding the possible closure of Lagunya Finishing School.

"The public consultation process regarding this decision is currently being finalised, I have yet to make a final determination on the issue, but when I do it will be done in the best interests of learners and of the integrity of the education system as a whole."

MEC Grant has appealed to all affected parties to exercise restraint and to avoid deliberately inflaming emotions around the Lagunya issue to score political points.

"I will not tolerate any organization or individual who abuses the Lagunya decision to pursue their own narrow agenda. My responsibility is to all the learners of this province and I will not be intimated by any action which seeks to destabilize learning at any school. The final decision on Lagunya will be based on what is best for the learners at that institution and other affected role-players.That is my only consideration."

MEC Grant will consult WCED officials today to make arrangements for matric learners from Langa Secondary to re-write the paper that was disrupted this morning.

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 724 1422 or brcasey@pgwc.gov.za.

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