As term two comes to an end, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has again subsidised its school holiday security support. This is because provincial schools have increasingly become hotspots for vandalism and burglaries.

The department has reportedly subsidised school holiday security at 430 schools at risk during the holiday period.

These interventions come as 25 schools reported 28 incidents of burglary and vandalism during the recent term break, causing nearly R400 000 in damages. Stolen and damaged items included computers, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures and security infrastructure.

This has reportedly yielded positive results, with incidents of burglary and vandalism declining over the 2025/26 summer holidays. The number of incidents dropped from 47 incidents affecting 34 schools during the previous holiday period to 36 incidents affecting 32 schools.

According to DA Western Cape spokesperson on Education, Peter Johnson, schools identified through district risk assessments receive support for 12-hour or 24-hour guarding, as well as cluster patrols.

Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier, says that while holiday security has been subsidised, the department is appealing to the public for help in protecting school properties.

“Please keep a close eye on your local school during the holidays, and report anything suspicious to SAPS immediately!” added Maynier

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