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

Officials in the district offices of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) are working closely with schools to monitor the impact of the taxi strike and, as far as possible, ensure the safety of learners.

Schools are encouraged to call their local police stations for assistance or they can contact the Safe Schools Call Centre. The Safe Schools Call centre number is 0800 45 46 47.

Several schools reported high absenteeism amongst learners and in some cases, teachers, while at other schools teachers and learners arrived late.

Two learners at a school in the Wittebome area were hurt after stones were thrown at the Golden Arrow Bus they were travelling in. The incident happened as the bus crossed the Lansdowne bridge, from the Gugulethu area. One of the learners sustained minor injuries while the other learner, a 15-year old girl, had to get stitches.

In another incident a learner at the Filia School in Goodwood was hurt when stones were thrown at the school bus. The incident happened in Kraaifontein, one of the areas worst hit by the taxi strike.

The learner was treated by a school nurse. Some of the other learners had pieces of glass in their clothes. They were traumatised, but the situation was quickly brought under control.

Teachers' vehicles were also pelted with stones in Wallacedene and Delft.

At Khanya Primary School in Portlands, Mitchell's Plain, more than 500 learners were absent after two bus drivers were assaulted and told not to pick up learners.

Hundreds of learners were also absent from schools in the Khayelitsha area.

Safe Schools are liaising with the Joint Operation Centre set up by the Department of Community Safety as an integrated approach to address the possibility of taxi violence. The law enforcement agencies gave the assurance that they are ready to move into any area where there might be a danger to life and limb.

The WCED would like to urge parents to arrange alternative transport to ensure learners' safety to and from school.

For enquiries, contact Millicent Merton:  072 724 1422 or mmerton@pgwc.gov.za.

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

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