Temporary school gets the greenlight

Education officials refuse to halt construction despite objections

THE WESTERN Cape Education Department is forging ahead with the construction of a school in Strand despite reservations from residents. The department plans to open a school in Onverwacht in April, which will be temporarily housed in mobile classrooms, until construction of permanent buildings can start from next year.

Last month, the provincial education ministry was asked by the Helderberg subcouncil to respond to more than 20 questions from residents.

These asked why the community had not been consulted, whether the planned prefabricated buildings would affect house prices, and what steps were being taken to handle traffic congestion, including how the children got to school, and sewerage.

Bronagh Casey, head of the provincial education ministry, replied that the public had to be consulted on any application to rezone a site for educational purposes.

“This site was already zoned for educational purposes by the municipality, in terms of section 156 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.”

She said there was a need for school accommodation in the Helderberg. Existing schools were oversubscribed. She said the ministry did not agree the mobile school, which is a temporary arrangement, would bring down property prices “as we know that quality schools facilitate quality education”.

Shesaid the Department of Transport and Public Works would liaise with the city council on drainage and sewerage.

Subcouncil 8 chairman councillor Stuart Pringle said the department’s responses had been provided to residents during a meeting yesterday.

Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said: “At no stage do we intend to halt construction of the temporary school”.

Tony Ehrenreich, leader of the ANC in the city council, said the ANC would oppose any attempts to halt the building of a school for “black learners” in the area.