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

More than 936 000 learners - from grade R to 12 - will start the 2009 academic year on Wednesday, 21 January.

The province's more than 31 000 educators will report for duty on Monday, 19 January.

The Western Cape has 1 452 public schools, which includes 1 050 primary schools and 402 high schools. The province has 72 schools for learners with special needs and six Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges operating from 39 campuses.

Four new schools will open on Wednesday while Samora Machel Primary School in Philippi will move into a new building. A total of ten (10) schools are under construction.

The new schools are Hindle Road West Primary School, Hindle Road West Secondary School and Abedare Primary School in Delft as well as Bardale Primary School in Mfuleni.

Mobile classrooms have been put in place in areas where there is a demand for extra accommodation. These mobile units should be fully operational by Wednesday.

A total of 85 new Grade R classrooms will be available in January 2009. The WCED will also launch a pilot project to provide transport for Grade R learners in rural areas. The WCED plans to start providing the transport from 1 February 2009, to provide a chance for schools to register Grade R learners for transport in the areas concerned.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) subsidises 446 ECD sites and 112 community learning centres for adults.

The department's officials reported that 93% of textbooks and 98% of other Learning Teaching Support Material (LTSM) were delivered by Thursday 14 January with the balance to follow from Monday, 19 January.

All furniture will be delivered to the new schools on or before 21 January 2009.

"We are convinced that we have done as much as possible to ensure that schools are ready for the new academic year," said Yousuf Gabru, MEC for Education in the Western Cape.

"As is the custom, officials worked closely with schools before the end of the 2008 academic year to ensure a smooth start to the school year. I appreciate the preparation they have done while simultaneously concluding their work for 2008."

In a large number of schools teaching and learning is expected to start on the first day while at others teaching and learning should start by the second day.

Burglary and vandalism (for the period December 2008 to 14 January 2009)

To date 21 cases of burglary and vandalism were reported to the Safe Schools Call Centre. Three (3) of the 21 cases reported involved arson and resulted in major damage to property. Arrangements have been made to minimise disruptions at the schools while repairs are done.

The other cases reported include 4 schools that suffered loss of computers while some schools reported damaged locks, the theft of cricket equipment, and a broken glass door and broken windows.

No reports of vandalism at the 109 high risk were received to date. Safe Schools organised special holiday programmes and patrols at these schools and it would seem as if the intervention paid off. Our statistics indicate a steady reduction in burglary and vandalism over the last three years. In the 2006/07 December holiday period 58 cases were reported to the Safe Schools Call Centre and in 2007/2008 December holiday period 48 cases were reported.

School visits

On Monday officials from the Quality Assurance Directorate will visit schools to monitor the readiness for the start of the academic year. MEC's, Members of Parliament, members of the Standing Committee on Education, officials from the national and provincial education departments and district officials will visit schools on Wednesday. The main purpose of the visits is to determine the extent to which institutions are ready for curriculum delivery and its ability to maximize teaching and learning.

It will also provide officials with opportunities to learn about best practice from institutions which are fully functional from the first day. In addition the visits will provide the WCED with information concerning where assistance and support are needed most in order to respond with solutions that will enable an institution to be fully functional as soon as possible.

Late admissions

Our districts are ready to deal with the placement of learners who have not been enrolled at a school yet. Parents can contact their nearest district office directly or call the toll free helpline at 0800 200 506.

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