Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

16 March, 2016

Minister Debbie Schafer hands over two new schools in Eerste Rivier today.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Today, I officially handed over two brand new schools in Eerste Rivier. The two schools are also both pilot schools in our Collaboration Schools Pilot Project.

Forest Village Leadership Academy and Happy Valley Primary School were completed in 2015 and learners occupied the new buildings at the start of the 2016 academic year.

The WCED invests heavily in school infrastructure to improve the quality of teaching and learning spaces, as well as to meet the demands for schooling in the province. We are pleased that we have been able to deliver two beautiful schools that the community can be proud of, and its learners can thrive in.

Both Happy Valley Primary School and Forest Village Leadership Academy School cater for a maximum of 1240 learners each and consist of:

• 28 classrooms,
• 4 grade R classrooms,
• 2 multipurpose classrooms
• A multi-media centre
• Science lab
• An administration block and school sick bay,
• A feeding kitchen,
• School hall and:
• A Sportsfield

Both new schools have also opted to take part in the Collaboration Schools Pilot Programme that began at the beginning of 2016.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in partnership with a group of philanthropic donors launched an exciting new pilot programme as part of our broader efforts to improve the educational outcomes of our public schools serving poorer communities.

The Collaboration Schools Pilot Programme is focusing on schools serving poorer communities, as well as underperforming schools, in order to improve education outcomes.

Through the Collaboration Schools pilot, the WCED aims to test a new model of schooling that brings additional education management skills and innovation into the public school system, through non-profit partnerships that improve the quality of teaching and learning in no-fee public schools. The pilot programme will be implemented with the full agreement of governing bodies in participating schools.

These support organisations, called operating partners, will ensure intensive school-level support to teachers and principals through training, additional resources, monitoring and regular feedback.

Mellon Educate and 2 Oceans Education Foundation bring relevant expertise that will allow them, collaborating with School Governing Bodies and the WCED, to improve quality education and accountability in these schools.

Mr Solomons, Principal of Happy Valley Primary School which has partnered with Mellon Educate Foundation says 'this school model is making a real difference in this community which has very high levels of social ills. I am extremely grateful for the support that we received from the Metro East Education District Office as well as from Mellon Educate.

In addition the chairperson of the SGB, Ms Van Wyk pledged their full support for the project and testified to the difference that it is making in the lives of her own children who currently attend the school.

Mrs Watson, Principal of Forest Village Leadership Academy which has partnered with the 2 Oceans Education Foundation says 'We are very excited about this project and so grateful for the assistance that our partners have given us. The 2016 school year has got off to a great start'.

The WCED will continue to play its critical role in overseeing school performance and holding the schools and operating partners to account as part of the public education system. Support from the WCED will be integrated with that provided by the operating partner, with collaboration schools continuing to receive funding, infrastructure and services such as transport and nutrition from the WCED according to prevailing policy.

The Collaboration Schools pilot programme seeks to:

• improve the quality of education at public schools;
• demonstrate effective models of partnerships in education;
• strengthen public school governance and accountability;
• develop educators; and
• implement interventions aimed at the improvement of the quality of public education for learners from low income communities.

I was happy to hear that the pilot at both schools is going well and that teachers and parents are especially excited about taking part in the collaboration schools programme. I have high hopes for both schools and look forward to what they will achieve, especially with the assistance of our operating partners and donors.

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