Media Statement by Penny Vinjevold, Head of Education in the Western Cape
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is preparing detailed learner placement plans for learners affected by proposed school closures in the province.
The aim is to improve opportunities for the learners concerned.
We would like to place these learners in schools that are better equipped to provide a quality education.
These plans are proposals at this stage, but are essential as we determine whether to close a public school.
The department looks at how best we can use our resources to improve access to quality education on an ongoing basis.
We have to respond to changing needs. We do so by building new schools, expanding and replacing existing schools and by closing schools where it is in the best interests of learners to do so.
The department has recommended to the Provincial Minister of Education that he consider 27 schools for possible closure. Twenty of these schools are in rural districts and seven are in the greater Cape Town area.
The preparation of the proposed learner placement plans does not indicate that the minister has already made up his mind in respect of any of the proposed closures. Each learner placement plan forms an essential part of our planning for each possible closure.
The role of the department in this process is to identify and recommend to the Provincial Minister of Education schools that should be considered for possible closure. The role of the Provincial Minister of Education is then to consider the proposed closures critically in consultation with all interested parties. This process is currently underway.
Most of the schools concerned are very small rural schools that have dwindling numbers and do not have the resources to deliver the full curriculum. They typically offer multi-grade teaching, with more than one grade in a class.
Should any of these schools be closed, we plan to place the learners in schools that offer single-grade classes, with one teacher per grade, and better access to quality facilities and activities.
Reasons for the proposed closure of schools in urban districts include dwindling numbers, the poor physical condition of these schools and poor academic performance in certain cases.
Should any of these schools be closed, the department would like to place these learners in schools that are well maintained, have better facilities, are well managed, achieve better results and offer a wider range of sporting and cultural activities.
Teachers will typically follow learners to their new schools.
Benefits for the teachers at the rural schools concerned would include the support of more colleagues, teaching single-grade classes and easier access to ongoing professional development.
The learner placement plans include transport for learners in rural areas. In many cases, the learners will find it easier to get to school because buses will pick them up closer to their homes.
The learner placement plans are designed to improve opportunities for about 4 000 learners, starting in 2013.
Success will depend ultimately on how learners respond to these opportunities. Education districts will work with schools to monitor and support their progress.
The department has proposed closing schools in five of the eight education districts in the province.
Eden Karoo
The department has proposed closing 11 schools in the Eden Karoo district. Learner numbers have dropped at all of these these schools, where enrolment ranges from 11 to 101.
The schools rely on multi-grade teaching.
We would like to place the learners in schools with single-grade classes with a teacher for each grade.
The new schools in mind are well managed and typically have better facilities. They can offer better extramural programmes, such as team sports and cultural activities.
The department will organise transport where necessary, for distances ranging from 8.9 km to 23 km.
Cape Winelands
The WCED has proposed closing six schools in the Cape Winelands district. Learner numbers have declined at all of the schools. They all rely on multi-grade classes.
Learner numbers at five of the schools range from 12 to 61. Learner numbers have declined at a sixth school, L K Zeeman Primary School, which currently has 284 learners.
The department would like to place the learners in schools that offer single-grade classes with one teacher per grade.
The new schools typically have better facilities, for example, libraries, computer laboratories and sports fields, and offer team sports and greater access to cultural activities.
The WCED will provide transport for learners who would travel by bus for between 6.5 km and 11.5 km to get to school.
West Coast
The department would like to close three schools in the West Coast district. The schools have 30, 35 and 36 learners respectively, the number needed for single classes. They rely on multi-grade teaching.
The WCED would like to place the learners in larger schools that offer single-grade classes, with a teacher for each grade.
The larger schools are well managed, have better facilities and offer more opportunities for team sports and cultural activities. The department would organise transport for distances ranging from 6 km to 27 km.
Metro North
The WCED has proposed closing two schools in the Metro North district. Learner numbers have declined at both schools. The current enrolments are 264 and 305 respectively.
Neighbouring schools with better facilities can easily accommodate the learners. The neighbouring schools are well managed, achieve good academic results and offer a variety of sports and cultural activities.
Metro Central
The department has proposed closing five schools in the Metro Central district, including three high schools. Enrolment ranges from 250 to 652.
The physical condition of these schools is extremely poor. Two of the high schools have the worst matric pass rates in the province. The third has a drop-out rate of 65%.
The WCED would like to place these learners in neighbouring schools that are well managed, have better retention rates and achieve better matric results.
Most of the alternative schools are well established, well maintained and offer better facilities and opportunities for extramural activities.
Proposed Learner Placement Plans:
The following is a summary of the proposed learner placement plans for each school.
The proposed plans are work in progress. The department will finalise the plans in consultation with all concerned when the Western Cape Education Minister makes his final decision on the proposed closures in September.
Eden Karoo Education District
Bracken Hill EK Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 59
Learner Placement Plan:
Fraaisig Primêr, Hornlee Primêr, Sunridge Primêr
Denneprag Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 45
Learner Placement Plan
Ruiterbos Primêr
Krombeksrivier NGK Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 18
Learner Placement Plan:
De Waalville Primêr
Langkloof Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 11
Learner Placement Plan:
Molenrivier Primêr
Redlands Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 74
Learner Placement Plan:
Karatara Primêr
Rietfontein NGK Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 27
Learner Placement Plan:
Kruisrivier Wes Primêr
Rodewal UCC Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 94
Learner Placement Plan:
De Jager VGK Primêr
Rondevlei EK Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 57
Learner Placement Plan:
George schools, Smutsville Primêr, Sedgefield Primêr
Warmbad-Spa Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 62
Learner Placement Plan:
Uitvlugt Primêr
Welbedacht UCC Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 101
Learner Placement Plan:
Rooiberg Primêr
Wittedrif Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 218
Learner Placement Plan:
The WCED is planning to build a new school in conjunction with a partner.
Cape Winelands Education District
Bergrivier NGK Primary School
Motivation:
Number of learners: 61
Learner placement plan:
Soetendal Primêr
Bosplaas NGK PS
Motivation:
Number of learners: 39
Learner Placement Plan:
Rondeheuwel Primêr
Hoopsrivier NGK Primary School
Motivation:
Learner Placement Plan:
Vergesig Primêr
L K Zeeman Primary School
Motivation:
Number of learners: 284
Learner Placement Plan:
Amstelhof Primêr
Tonko Bosman
Motivation:
Number of learners: 22
Learner Placement Plan:
Raithby Primêr, Weber Gedenk Primêr
Wansbek VGK Primary School
Motivation:
Number of leaners: 12
Learner Placement Plan:
Le Chasseur Primêre Skool
West Coast Education District
Klipheuwel Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 30
Learner Placement Plan:
Lutzville Primêr, Uitkyk Primêr
Nuhoop NGK Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 36, including Grade R
Learner Placement Plan:
Middeldeurvlei Primêr
Urionskraal NGK Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 35
Learner Placement Plan:
Van Rhynsdorp schools, Maskam Primêre Skool
Metropole North Education District
Lavisrylaan Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 264, including 62 Grade Rs
Learner Placement Plan:
Helderberg Primêr, Bishop Lavis Primary School
Valpark Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 305
Learner Placement Plan:
Helderberg Primêr, Bishop Lavis Primary School, Hillside Primary, Parkvale Primary
Metropole Central Education District
Athwood Primary
Motivation:
Number of learners: 450
Learner placement plan:
Morgenson Primary
Beauvallon Secondary School
Motivation:
Number of learners: 521
Learner placement plan:
John Ramsay HS, Bishop Lavis HS
Peak View Secondary School
Motivation:
Number of learners: 652
Learner placement plan:
Bridgetown High, among others.
Protea Primary School
Motivation:
Number of learners: 205
Learner placement plan:
Central Park, Boundary, Disa, Mimosa, Nerina primary schools, (or school of choice)
Zonnebloem Nest Senior School
Motivation:
Number of learners: 309
Learner placement plan:
Wide range of schools to choose from in the immediate vicinity, including Walmer, Trafalgar and Harold Cressy high schools, among others.
Paddy Attwell
Director of Communication
Tel: 021 467 2351
E-mail: paddy.attwell@westerncape.gov.za