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

MEC for Education Donald Grant said that efforts to curb vandalism and increase safety at schools are to be stepped up in the next few months.

"Vandalism in schools is impacting the rights of our learners and stakeholders. Pupils, teachers and principals are, in effect, under siege in some areas," he said.

Grant said that the recent ransacking of the Uitsig Secondary School was one such example.

"Some of the classrooms have been gutted, creating an environment that is clearly not conducive to a good learning environment. Last year Uitsig achieved a pass rate of almost 100%. We are not going to let actions of a small minority destablilise a well-functioning school."

Grant said that the WCED had instituted a number of initiatives to address the rising levels of vandalism in our schools. The Safe Schools Programme is one such initiative, and according to figures from the Departments Safe Schools Call Centre, school burglaries and vandalism dropped by 27.4% in 2008, compared to the previous year.

"However, some of our schools still remain vulnerable. Last year, there were 710 reported cases of vandalism and burglary at schools. In the last week alone, there have been two reported cases."

He said that although Uitsig Secondary School had been provided with security during the day through the departments Safe Schools project, the criminals targeted the school at night.

"Our most vulnerable schools must have 24 hour protection. But we need the community, police and private sector to assist us in protecting these schools 24/7."

Grant said that the WCED have approached the City of Cape Town in order to assist in initiating a Rent-a-cop programme for schools.

The Ministry is proposing that corporate companies rent Metro Police officers from the City of Cape Town to patrol high risk schools to ensure school safety. "We need to take the pressure off the police in areas that are out of control," Grant said.

JP Smith, chairman of the City's safety and security portfolio committee, said the WCED had already approached the city with the idea.

In terms of the agreement, the City would train the officers. The corporate sponsors and the education department would then pay for the officers salaries, as well as other equipment such as radios and fuel.

The officers will then police priority schools, but will still be employed by the city, which can deploy them to emergencies in other areas, if necessary, said Smith.

A pilot project using 20 metro officers at various city improvement district hotspots has proven to be highly successful. "I don't see why this programme can't be transferred to more schools," said Smith.

Grant said that not only did the programme ensure the safety of the schools, it also gave companies the opportunity to engage with the community and invest in the future of the learners.

"But safety of our schools should not only fall under the responsibility of the private sector and the Department alone. We also need to empower our parents, learners, teachers and communities. Community Safety Forums must ensure that the schools and the police stations in their area are working together constructively to monitor the situation at their local schools on a regular basis."

"In addition, we will be encouraging a programme whereby partnership with the schools, local neighbourhood watches and armed response companies will be encouraged to set up bases on school premises. This would ensure an on-going presence at the schools and will help curb vandalism and theft."

"It is imperative that we send a strong message to criminals that our places of learning will no longer be soft targets."

MEC Grant will be visiting the Uitsig Secondary on Friday, 29 May 2009, to asses the damages and provide solutions to ensure the future safety of the learners.

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 217 7267 or brcasey@pgwc.gov.za.

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

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