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Media Release

29 June, 2009

Holiday programmes keep children off the streets

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

The Western Cape Education Department's (WCED) Safe Schools Division has arranged for a number of holiday programmes at specific schools and community centres throughout the Western Cape to provide activities for children during the holiday season.

Some of these programmes run until 12 July and will occupy learners with sport activities, arts and crafts, environmental projects, and discussions about safety, anger management, drugs and sexual abuse.

"Programmes such as these are helping to create awareness, promote a healthy lifestyle, build self-esteem, and develop the physical and mental skills of our youth. It is about getting boys and girls off the streets, and into the community halls and sports fields - building teamwork and creating new friendships," said MEC for education Donald Grant.

"This is a vulnerable time for our children, especially in lieu of the recent, horrific attacks on Nadine Jantjies and Viwe Mnembe. We can't ignore the fact that there are child predators out there. Children need to be protected, not given free reign or left in dangerous circumstances. Unfortunately, many children go un-supervised during this period. All parents must ensure that their children are left under the care of a trusting and responsible adult."

MEC Grant said that community members should also remain vigilant.

"The reality is that some children get up to mischief during the school holiday period. We urge the community to report any suspicious behaviour, underage drinking, drug abuse or dangerous play."

District South has organised activities at eleven different schools and centre's, concentrating mainly on personal development and sports activities.

District East's programme focuses on life skills training and the effects of substance abuse, while District North has set up a number of excursions for learners and conflict workshops.

The Eden Karoo District has holiday programmes taking place at twenty three different venues focussing on sport, dance, music and art.

MEC Grant said that the presence of people on the school premises also acted as a deterrent to criminals to stay off school grounds, thus reducing vandalism and burglaries.

"Our Safe Schools project managed to reduce vandalism and burglary cases during the holiday period by 50% last year. In 2008, 24 cases of vandalism were reported during the holiday period, compared to 48 in 2007. In 2006, there were 58 reported cases," he said.

"Safe Schools have put in place holiday security patrols at the 109 high risk schools in the province. However, we can't rely solely on the Department to ensure that schools are kept safe from vandals. The community, parents and local policing forums also need to participate."

He said that if anyone noticed anything suspicious, they should notify the police immediately.

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


Issued by:
Bronagh Casey
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2377
Fax: 021 425 5689

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


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