Twenty Western Cape schools will be closed at the end of this year, provincial education MEC Donald Grant said on Tuesday.

Most were small farm schools in rural areas with low enrolment numbers and multi-grade classes, he said.

The remainder were in urban areas and largely plagued by a decline in pupils.

"This has not been an easy process and I have had to make some very difficult decisions, but I am convinced that these decisions are in the best interests of all the learners concerned," Grant said.

The department originally earmarked 27 schools for possible closure. Public hearings were held recently to collect arguments for and against these closures, by school governing bodies, parents and civil society.

The MEC said that although he was not present at all the hearings, he received transcripts of every parties' arguments and used these to shape his decisions.

The schools to be closed are: Beauvallon Secondary, Bergrivier NGK Primary, Bracken Hill EK Primary, Denneprag Primary, Hoopsrivier NGK Primary, Klipheuwel Primary, Krombeksrivier NGK Primary, LK Zeeman Primary, Langklook Primary, Lavisrylaan Primary, Protea Primary, Redlands Primary, Rietfontein Primary, Rondevlei Primary, Tonko Bosman Primary, Unionskraal Primary, Valpark Primary, Wansbek Primary, Warmbad-Spa Primary and Welbedacht UCC Primary.

The schools that would remain open were Athwood Primary, Bosplaas NGK Primary, Nuhoop NGK Primary, Peak View Secondary, Rodewal UCC Primary, Wittedrif Primary and Zonnebloem NEST Senior.

"I would like to stress that parents of learners at schools that will close do not have to worry about enrolment for the 2013 school year," Grant said.

He said pupils would be transferred to schools that offered better opportunities.

Where necessary and possible, the department would assist with school uniforms, transport and feeding.

If a pupil was moving from a no-school fee school to one charging fees, the department would cover the fees for 2013.

The department also would cover the difference in cases where fees were more expensive.

"Where necessary, the department will also assist parents to apply for fee exemptions for future years."

Parents were encouraged to read the plan for their affected school for further details.

The principals and staff of the schools to be closed would be transferred appropriately.

Grant gave assurances that their salaries would not change.

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 10:38:34 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 16, 2012

knobkirrie

I thought there were ' refugee' people from the Eastern Cape, who would easily occupy those schools, Zille, are you also sratching you nuts, like the national govt?? I thought you were a woman, normally women have compassion than men. NX!!!
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Oct 17, 2012

SOLUTIONS

knobkirrie
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Maybe you must read the whole article before commenting, it would help, NXA!!!!
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Oct 17, 2012

Mbeki_2

Eish - here are the facts guys - we neva heard when our glorius organisation closed schools ne'???
"Schools closed in ANC-governed provinces since 2000.
The provincial breakdown : 1,116 schools closed in the Free State, t 648 in North West province, 590 in Eastern Cape, 215 in Mpumalanga, 173 in Limpopo, and 111 in Northern Cape, 49 schools in Western Cape, when the ANC governed WC."
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Oct 17, 2012

Mbeki_2

that's 648 schools close in North West.
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Oct 17, 2012

Tsatsatsa

Hhayi bo Mbeki_2 scarry numbers. Why were this schools closed? As long it for the good of the kids and their families it ok. It sounds like the necessary consultations were done and everyone will be taken care of.
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Oct 17, 2012

RobinH

I find this decision most unfortunate. None of the "arguments" I have heard put forward make any real sense.
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Oct 17, 2012

Mbeki_2

Tsatsatsa
You must be right - must be DA in W Cape did the necessary consultation to benefit kids when they are closing these 20 schools. I'm just suprized about reaction when so many have been closed already - thats all.
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