Cape schools to learn their fate soon

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Published Nov 18, 2014

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Cape Town - The 17 Western Cape schools earmarked for closure in 2012 are expected to know their fate in about two weeks.

Last July, the Western Cape High Court overturned a decision by former Education MEC Donald Grant to close the schools, most of which are small and in rural areas.

At the time, the Cape Argus reported that two of three judges, André le Grange and Nape Dolamo, had agreed to set aside Grant’s decision on all 17 schools.

However, Judge Lee Bozalek issued a minority judgment, saying he agreed 16 schools should close, but that Grant had failed to make a case as to why Beauvallon Senior Secondary School should close.

Grant later applied and was granted leave to appeal the court’s decision. He indicated that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga had supported his decision to appeal.

During the school closure process Grant had maintained the aim of the closures was to improve opportunities for pupils by placing them in schools that were better equipped to provide quality education.

On Monday the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein heard arguments in the case and judgment was reserved.

The office of Education MEC Debbie Schäfer and Jerald Andrews, an attorney for the schools, indicated that judgment was expected in about two weeks. Schäfer’s spokeswoman Jessica Shelver, said: “We look forward to clarity on this matter.”

Vanessa le Roux, a co-ordinator for Save our Schools, which has been fighting the closures since 2012, said they were hopeful for a positive outcome.

The schools are Beauvallon Secondary, Bergrivier NGK Primary, Bracken Hill EK Primary, Denneprag Primary, Klipheuwel Primary, Krombeksrivier NGK Primary, LK Zeeman Primary, Lavisrylaan Primary, Protea Primary, Redlands Primary, Rietfontein Primary, Rondevlei EK Primary, Urionskraal NGK Primary, Valpark Primary, Wansbek VGK Primary School, Warmbad-Spa Primary and Welbedacht UCC Primary.

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Cape Argus

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