Call to prevent closure of Beaufort West school for rural pupils

ANOTHER school serving rural learners has been earmarked for closure at the end of the year due to dwindling pupil numbers.

The provincial education department has recommended Merweville Primary School in Beaufort West be closed, but residents have objected and called for parents in surrounding areas to enrol their children at the school.

At the end of last year, five schools in the province, four of which served rural pupils, were abolished by Education MEC Debbie Schäfer.

Provincial education department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said a public meeting would be held next week where the public could make representations on the closure of the school.

The recommendation follows the lack of growth in pupil numbers at the school, Hammond said.

On a Merweville community social page, a call has been made to support the school to prevent its closure.

They say 11 staffers, including hostel staff, face losing their jobs.

“If you are able to help our school and keep the boarding house running, please do,” a staffer said.

Hammond said all pupils could be accommodated at George Fredericks Primary School, 1km away.

“In accordance with section 33(2)(b) of the act, the MEC is obliged to give the governing body of the school a reasonable opportunity to make representations to her in relation to the proposed decision on closure.

‘‘When all the relevant administrative processes have been finalised, a submission will be drafted to the MEC for her consideration, taking all representations into account,” Hammond said.