Schools with 250 pupils or less may have to close

THE fate of thousands of pupils hangs in the balance as the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) decides which of 323 schools, built from inappropriate material like asbestos and metal, should be closed because they have less than 250 pupils.

Education MEC Debbie Schäfer’s spokesperson, Jessica Shelver, yesterday clarified previous reports which said all 323 schools would be closed.

The proposed closures and consolidation of schools is in line with guidelines from the national Department of Basic Eduction.

The provincial document shows the department had made a decision not to replace inappropriate schools with less than 250 pupils, as it intended to consolidate the “small schools into bigger schools”.

Shelver said schools would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“No final decision has been made as to which schools will be considered for future consolidation, nor has a timeline for the consolidation been finalised. The department does, in due course, plan to consolidate some schools in areas where we are able to place every pupil in a school

Our objective at all times has been to improve children’s opportunities

that is better equipped.

“Our objective at all times has been to improve opportunities for children, in line with national policy. It does not mean that every school with under 250 pupils will necessarily be closed. This may not be possible in all areas,” Shelver said.

Lobby group Save Our Schools (SOS) co-ordinator Vanessa le Roux said the group would keep a “close watch” on the decisions and processes of the WCED.

SOS was active in fighting for 14 schools in disadvantaged areas to stay open. Former MEC for education Donald Grant wanted to close the schools. Le Roux said if all 323 schools were to close, it would affect around 60 000 pupils in rural areas.