Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

9 July, 2014

WCED Safe Schools Holiday Programme.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Today, I visited the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Safe Schools Holiday Programme at Morgenson Primary School in Hanover Park.

The Programme at Morgenson Primary includes learners from Mountview Secondary School, Parkfield Primary School, Blomvlei Primary School, Athwood Primary School, Belmor Primary School, Voorspoed Primary School, Crystal High School and Summit Primary School.

Morgenson Primary is one of 136 Schools taking part in the WCED's Safe Schools Holiday Programme.

A number of outside stakeholders, including various government departments, are supporting the programme. These include the City of Cape Town, the Cape Town Metro Police, the South African Police Service (SAPS), WECTAC Leadership Academy; the Goliath Dance Academy, Brainwave Projects, Hazendal Civic Organisation (HAZCOR), South African National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (SANCA), Fynbos Consultancy, K-Dag and Out Eden.

The Safe Schools Holiday Programme commenced on 27th June 2014 and will run at a number of schools across the province throughout the school holiday period:

• The Eden Karoo - nine schools are participating in programmes focusing on Creative Arts, Team Building as well as Sports and Culture Programmes.

• The West Coast District - nine schools are participating in programmes focusing on Arts of Communication, Substance Abuse, Peer Pressure, Bullying and a number of programme that focus on decreasing crime.

• Overberg District - six schools are participating in programmes focusing on Peer Mediation, Substance Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Anti-Crime as well as a number of Sporting Activities.

• The Cape Winelands District - has holiday programmes involving nine schools focusing on Sexuality, Self-Image, Substance Abuse, Leadership and Communication Skills as well as a number of fun games.

• The Metro South District - has holiday programmes involving twenty six schools focusing on Team Building, Arts and Culture, Debating, Dance Workshops as well as a number of Sporting Activities.

• The Metro North District holiday programmes have been organised to host thirty-two schools focusing on Life Skills Programmes, Youth Violence and Crime Prevention as well as a number of Sporting Activities.

• The Metro East District - has holiday Programmes involving seven schools focusing on Leadership Skills, Conflict Resolution, Peer Mediation and Gangsterism.

• The Metro Central District - has holiday programmes involving thirty eight schools focusing on Life Skills, Leadership Skills, Team Building, Restorative Justice, Substance Abuse, Anti Bullying and Library Awareness and Arts and Culture.

The holiday programmes are designed to be both fun and a learning experience. They provide a safe environment for our learners to learn, interact and enjoy their winter holiday break.

I would like to personally thank all stakeholders for their contributions and involvement in the programme.

I would also like to appeal to all parents and caregivers, especially those that have full-time jobs, to ensure that their children are supervised during the remainder of the school holidays.

Our parents are key in providing support for our learners and to promote healthy activities as opposed to anti-social behaviour.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663