The Safe Schools division of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has arranged special patrols of schools in high risk areas to prevent vandalism and burglaries during the Easter holiday.

Meanwhile, Safe Schools is also organising holiday programmes in various areas to provide activities for learners, while also using school premises.

The department has found that incidents of vandalism and burglaries decline significantly when schools premises are used during holidays, especially the long holidays in July and at the end of the year.

Examples of holiday programmes include netball and soccer tournaments in Bonteheuwel, in the WCED's Metropole Central Education District, and a wide range of activities in the Eden Karoo Education District.

Safe Schools is working with a various partners in the Eden Karoo to organise activities ranging from LoveLife games and debates to singing and dancing, indigenous games, mini-soccer, touch rugby and mini-cricket.