Education Writer
SCHOOLS should be closed only as a last resort, education experts and insiders have said in response to the threatened closure of 27 schools in the Western Cape.
Independent education specialist Graeme Bloch said schools should be closed only after careful consideration “on a case by case basis”
The 27 schools have received notice from Education MEC Donald Grant of his intention to close them. According to his spokeswoman, Bronagh Casey, reasons include dwindling pupil numbers, no prospect of growth, and poor teaching and learning.
Casey refuses to release the names of the schools, “so as to not compromise the process”.
The Cape Times is aware of the names of two: Zonnebloem Nest Senior in the City Bowl and Peak View Secondary in Athlone, which is the worst-performing school in the province.
David Millar, provincial chairman of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA, said: “If the school is underperforming, then Naptosa feels the department is well within its rights to close it down.” The department should then make other arrangements for pupils and teachers.
The department should be able to prove it had offered schools enough support before it took the “drastic” step of closing them, Millar said.
David de Korte, principal of Camps Bay High and provincial president of the SA Principals Association, said there were situations where it would make sense to close a school, such as where pupil numbers were falling. But in the case of Peak View, which appeared to be improving its results, the school should be given another chance.
Antoinette du Plessis, research and development co-ordinator for Macmillan Teacher Campus, said if a school proved ineffective, it was preferable to close it.
“Begin with a new slate. Otherwise it’s like trying to mend a broken leg with straws.”
l In yesterday’s article about the possible closure of Peak View, it was incorrectly stated that last year’s matric pass rate was 8.9 percent. It was 18.9 percent. The Cape Times regrets the error.