Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

29 July, 2015

A positive temporary solution for Scottsdene learners.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Last night, education officials from the Western Cape Education Department met with parents of learners and educators of Scottsdene Secondary School to discuss the contingency plans the WCED has put in place. This comes after concerns were raised by engineers that the school's building might not meet structural requirements.

The WCED will not compromise on learner and educator safety. Therefore, we will temporarily relocate the learners to other premises until we are 100% sure that the school is structurally safe.

Given these unforeseen circumstances, brought to our attention only at the beginning of the 3rd term, the WCED has had to make alternative plans for the learners and educators of Scottsdene Secondary School. The school has a staff establishment of 38 educators with over 1330 learners.

I am very pleased that the WCED has come up with a plan to ensure that tuition will take place in an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.

I must also commend our officials who have worked around the clock to put this contingency plan in place. To move an entire school to another building as well as to arrange transport for over 1000 learners is no small feat. I appreciate their efforts in this regard.

Last night, parents were briefed on the plans, which include:

• The temporary relocation of learners and educators from Scottsdene Secondary to the newly built Eersterivier High School. This school is scheduled to open at the beginning of the 2016 academic year, and is therefore currently vacant.

• The relocation of learners will begin on Monday, 3 August 2015.

• The WCED has arranged for the relocation of desks and chairs and other equipment.

• The WCED has arranged to transport the learners from Scottsdene Secondary to Eersterivier HS every day.

• The WCED has begun the process of installing mobile classrooms at Scottsdene Secondary School so that learners can return to the school as soon as possible, or until DTPW have given us the reassurance that the school is 100% structurally safe.

• The department and the school will implement a catch-up plan during the September holiday, to make up for class time lost since 20 July 2015 which has been agreed to in principle by teachers, parents and learners.

I hope that the broader school community will work together in the interest of education.

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