Why Cape plans to close 27 schools

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Cape Town - Unprecedented public interest in the possible closure of 27 schools across the province has led to the release of detailed information about them.

Western Cape Education Department head Penny Vinjevold, briefed the media on Tuesday about plans for the 4 000 pupils of the affected schools.

Education MEC Donald Grant had informed the schools they faced possible closure at the end of the year.

Vinjevold said on Tuesday the proposed closures were to improve opportunities for the pupils.

“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,” she said.

Vinjevold said that no final decision has been made about the 27 schools’ future.

The department decided to share the information because the public had made it clear they wanted to know its plans.

“The preparation of the proposed learner placement plans does not indicate that [Grant] 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,” Vinjevold said.

She said most of the schools were very small rural schools with dwindling numbers and without resources to deliver the full curriculum.

They typically offered multigrade teaching, with more than one grade in a class.

“Should any of these schools be closed, we plan to place learners in schools that offer single-grade classes, with one teacher per grade, and better access to quality facilities and activities,” said Vinjevold.

Seven urban schools faced closure because of dropping numbers, the poor physical condition of the buildings, and poor academic performance.

“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.”

Vinjevold said teachers would typically follow learners to their new schools.

She said it was preferred that primary schools have between 650 and 800 pupils, and high schools between 1 000 and 1 200.

Public hearings are to be held from August 18 to September 3 and Grant is expected to make a final decision by the end of September.

DA leader Helen Zille said it was a contradiction that the ANC had criticised the Western Cape Education Department about the proposed closure when it had closed thousands of schools in provinces it governed.

In her newsletter SA Today, Zille cited statistics from the SA Institute of Race Relations which had said 2 388 schools had been closed since 2000.

She said the only period during which the Western Cape Education Department had closed more schools than it built was during the period of ANC rule.

Zille asked whether the public would be swept along with the ANC and Sadtu’s “high-profile public posturing”.

“Or will people debate the merits of each case, knowing that the accountability they demand in education sometimes requires tough decisions?” she asked.

Jonavon Rustin, provincial secretary of Sadtu, said: “This is not a political issue, it is an issue which is educationally sound.

“The premier is misguided in her comments.”

Earlier in the day, about 30 picketers, bundled up against the cold and rain, gathered at the intersection of Klipfontein and Calendula roads in Athlone to protest against the possible closure of nearby Peak View Secondary.

Pat Adriaanse, a teacher at Peak View, said: “There’s no reason for Peak View to be closed.”

He was holding a sign which read: “Hands off our schools.”

Frank van der Horst, a concerned community member, said poor weather conditions hadn’t deterred the picketers.

Teacher Rasida Adams said: “Give us an opportunity to show what we can do. This year Peak View will show the department.”

 

The where, who and why of the 27 schools targeted:

EDEN KAROO DISTRICT

Bracken Hill EK Primary, 59 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Fraaisig, Hornlee and Sunridge primary schools

 

Denneprag Primary, 45 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Ruiterbos Primary

 

Krombeksrivier NGK Primary, 18 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Little chance of pupil growth

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: De Waalville Primary

 

Langkloof Primary, 11 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Little chance of pupil growth

To go to: Molenrivier Primary

 

Redlands Primary, 74 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

* Poor literacy and numeracy

To go to: Karatara Primary

 

Rietfontein NGK Primary, 27 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* The pupils can be accommodated at neighbouring schools

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Kruisrivier Wes Primary

 

Rodewal UCC Primary, 94 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Poor retention of pupils

To go to: De Jager VGK Primary

 

Rondevlei EK Primary, 57 pupils

* Multigrade teaching

* Pupils transported from George

* Pupil numbers dwindling

To go to: Smutsville Primary, Sedgefield Primary, George schools

 

Warmbad-Spa Primary, 62 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Uitvlugt Primary

 

Welbedacht UCC Primary, 101 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Unsuitable accommodation

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Rooiberg Primary

 

Wittedrif Primary, 218 pupils

* Establish one viable primary school

* New school will enhance opportunities for primary school pupils

* Multigrade teaching

* No land for expansion

To go to: The WCED is planning to build a new school with a partner.

 

CAPE WINELANDS DISTRICT:

Bergrivier NGK Primary School 61 pupils

* Decline in pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Soetendal Primary

 

Bosplaas NGK PS, 39 pupils

* Decline in pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Rondeheuwel Primary

 

Hoopsrivier NGK Primary School, 18 pupils

* Low pupil numbers

To go to: Vergesig Primary

 

LK Zeeman Primary School, 284 pupils

* School building under-utilised

* Decline in pupil numbers

* Nearby schools have room to accommodate pupils

To go to: Amstelhof Primary

 

Tonko Bosman, 22 pupils

* Decline in enrolment

* Unsuitable infrastructure

To go to: Raithby Primary, Weber Gedenk Primary

 

Wansbek VGK Primary School, 12 pupils

* Pupil numbers below 25

To go to: Le Chasseur Primary School

 

WEST COAST DISTRICT:

Klipheuwel Primary, 30 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* No feeder community

To go to: Lutzville and Uitkyk

 

Nuhoop NGK Primary, 36 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Multigrade teaching

To go to: Middeldeurvlei Primary

 

Urionskraal NGK Primary, 35

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* No feeder community

To go to: Van Rhynsdorp schools, Maskam Primary

 

METROPOLE NORTH DISTRICT

Lavisrylaan Primary, Bishop Lavis, 264 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Preparatory school within 500m offering the same curriculum

* Enough provisions at neighbouring schools

To go to: Helderberg Primary, Bishop Lavis Primary

 

Valpark Primary, Valhalla Park, 305 pupils

* Dwindling pupil numbers

* Nearby schools can accommodate all the pupils

To go to: Helderberg Primary, Bishop Lavis Primary, Hillside Primary, Parkvale Primary

 

METROPOLE CENTRAL:

Athwood Primary, Hanover Park, 450 pupils

* Continuous theft and burglary renders the school unsafe

* On-going vandalism unviable

To go to: Morgenson Primary

 

Beauvallon Secondary School, Valhalla Park, 521 pupils

* Underperformance

* High dropout rate

To go to: John Ramsay and Bishop Lavis high schools

 

Peak View Secondary School, Athlone, 652 pupils

* Poor condition of the buildings

* Declining performance

* Poor NSC results

To go to: Bridgetown and others.

 

Protea Primary School, Bonteheuwel, 205 pupils

* Diminishing pupil numbers

To go to: Central Park, Boundary, Disa, Mimosa and Nerina primary schools

 

Zonnebloem Nest Senior School, Walmer Estate, 309 pupils

* Poor condition of the buildings

* High dropout rate

To go to: Wide range of schools nearby, including Walmer, Trafalgar and Harold Cressy.

michelle.jones@inl.co.za

Cape Times