Protest against possible school closures

INLSA

DA DOESNT CARE: About 100 Bishop Lavis residents protest against the possible closure of three schools in the area. Photo: Courtney Africa

Education Writer

BISHOP LAVIS residents have called for three schools in their area facing possible closure to remain open.

They picketed outside the provincial legislature in the city centre yesterday.

Residents asked that Education MEC Donald Grant reconsider the possible closure of three schools in the area – Beauvallon Secondary and Valpark Primary in Valhalla Park, and Lavisrylaan Primary in Bishop Lavis.

A total of 27 schools across the Western Cape – the majority small, rural schools – are facing possible closure.

The issue exploded into a political row about five weeks ago, with both the ANC and the SA Democratic Teachers Union accusing the DA-led provincial government of racism. About 100 protesters gathered on either side of Wale Street holding signs which read: “Donald Duck: Mampara of education” and “Duck children, it’s Donald”.

Bishop Lavis Outreach Forum’s Michael Hoffmeester said the schools faced possible closure due to dwindling pupil numbers – which he denied.

“We are here to try to change the mindset of the MEC. We won’t stop.”

Barbara Nieuwoudt, mother of eight-year-old Ethan who attended Lavisrylaan Primary, said she could not afford to send her son elsewhere.

“I’m here because I don’t want them to close the school. It’s going to cost me, I’ll have to pay travel costs and new school uniforms.”

Earlier, the ANC’s spokeswoman on education, Millicent Tingwe, addressed a press conference where she slammed the provincial government for closing schools along racial lines. “It is becoming clearer by the day the DA does not care for poor and vulnerable people. What a mess the DA has made of education in the Western Cape.

“There is no real commitment to tackle the problem and burning issues are only tackled after the fact when it causes bad publicity for this DA-led government.”

Tingwe called for Grant to be fired from his position.

“Ducking and diving, this MEC is too scared to face the communities and explain his position. He is unfit for purpose. He should go.”

Bronagh Casey, spokeswoman for Grant, said it was no surprise that the ANC has demonstrated its inability to understand issues of education management and provision. “They have once again reduced these issues to crude race (issues) and party-politics.”

Grant, while speaking in the provincial legislature yesterday, said the ANC’s opposition to school closures was mindless and misleading.

“We care about children and will do all we can to improve the quality of what is available in the public school system. Part of that is the constant re-evaluation of the size and shape of the system. This may include the closure of schools.”

michelle.jones@inl.co.za