Western Cape Minister for Education Donald Grant finds it totally unacceptable that learning has been disrupted for a second day at Ludwe Ngamlana Primary School in Khayelitsha.

The Minister has today expressed his anger that despite extensive discussions between the department and the disgruntled community members about the situation at Ludwe Ngamlana, the school gates have again been locked this morning, preventing learners and educators access to their school.

The Minister has spoken to Community Safety Minister Lennit Max and requested that the school be secured today and that the police ensure that tomorrow morning no one is able to restrict, in any way, access to the school. He has also requested that if there is any attempt to do so, they will be arrested on the spot.

"I am determined to ensure that no further disruptions to Ludwe Ngamlana are tolerated and that the safety of our learners and educators is made a top priority," said Grant.

"I have ensured that, as per my initial agreement at a meeting held earlier this year, that a re-examination of the investigation be conducted. In light of the seriousness of the current situation, I have further requested that this investigation be expedited and concluded by Friday, 19 February 2010, as opposed to the end of the first term as initially agreed. This will be communicated directly to the relevant groupings today by senior WCED officials."

Grant said that he wished to underscore that the two demands made by the protestors, namely, to remove from office the acting principal and to disband the current school governing body, cannot be adhered to as they constitute a violation of the relevant law.

"There is little doubt that this issue is being used by certain groupings to pursue party political agenda’s which are entirely divorced from the best interests of the school and its learners," Grant said.

"This administration will not tolerate any form of political interference in the functioning of our schools. I repeat my call for all those concerned to desist from taking part in any illegal actions and to put the interests of the learners first."

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