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

A key priority for the new administration is to improve school infrastructure and resources, said Western Cape MEC for education Donald Grant at a review meeting on the proposed construction of a primary school in West Lake on Wednesday.

Attending the review were representatives from the Westlake community, the WCED, the City of Cape Town and the Ministry.

The MEC had attended a public meeting in Westlake the night before, and had visited the proposed new site of the school.

"I have listened to the concerns of the community and there is an obvious demand for a primary school in the area," he said.

"This proposal dates back to 2002. Since then, Westlake has grown even more. We therefore want this process to move as swiftly as possible, and are investigating the different options available to us."

MEC Grant said that there were a number of Government Departments involved. These included the Department of Environmental Affairs, Development Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Finance, the City of Cape Town and the Department of Education.

"There has been a political change in the Province, and a realignment of shared priorities between the Province and the City of Cape Town. I am therefore hopeful that together we can fast track the development of this new school."

The MEC said, after consultation with the other Departments, he would be in a position to give feedback to the community on these plans on Monday, 20th of July 2009.

Grant said that Westlake Primary was just one of the schools that were earmarked for construction before 2011/12.

"We have a total of twelve new schools in planning stages right now," he said.

"However, we will be reviewing all infrastructure needs in the Province, and will investigate where there are shortages and excesses, and how we can optimize future planning and development, while considering increases in growth in some areas of the Western Cape."

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

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