Minister Grant has today condemned in the strongest possible terms the violent disruption of schooling at Naphakade Secondary in Malmesbury.

“Violence of any kind simply cannot be tolerated at our schools and will be clamped down as hard as possible," he said.

“The violent actions of the learners were not only unlawful, but wholly unnecessary as the WCED has prioritised the construction of a new school in the area in our infrastructure plan."

Grant said that this meant that the budget for a new high school in the area had already been allocated and that negotiations to acquire the proposed site from the local municipality will be prioritised.

“We are determined to ensure that the new school opens at the beginning of 2012. This new school will alleviate overcrowding and will ensure quality learning for all learners," Grant said.

“It is important to emphasise that the construction of a new high school in Malmesbury was always part of our planning - and we will not, under any circumstances, be forced by communities to change our infrastructure development plans in response to violent actions.”

Grant said that the new infrastructure plan had been finalized after a thorough and objective process.

“We assessed schools to determine pressure areas throughout the province. These assessments are based on a number of objective criteria such as; overcrowding, migration patterns in the province; new housing developments and infrastructure; funding and budgets; existing and planned transport; leased property and hostel accommodation.”

“The details of this assessment will be announced at the end of April. We will provide details on where the new schools will be built, as part of our infrastructure plan, and we will not be deterred or influenced to deviate from this fair and transparent plan by violent actions."

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

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