Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier says it’s all systems go for the start of the 2024 academic year, tomorrow. This despite crippling national budget cuts and extremely late school applications which has left the Department scrambling to find space for some new Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners.
It’s all systems go for the start of the new school year
MEC Maynier will join the Premier tomorrow at a primary school in the Metro to welcome both new and returning learners. They will be at Westcott Primary School in Myburgh Road, Diep River from 7.15 am.
Infrastructure update
He says, the department is doing everything it can to build new schools at a faster rate than ever before through our Rapid School Build programme. This is despite a massive R716.4 million blow to the provincial education budget, due to cuts from the national government.
“Our officials and contractors have worked hard throughout the holiday period to ensure that we expand the number of places available for the learners we’ve already received applications for, and to prepare for the expected extremely late applications received since 1 January 2024,” he added.
Schools are full in the Western Cape
Ten new schools and 3 replacement schools are being built this year. Finishing touches on the new junior high schools in Belhar, Fisherhaven, and Kwanokuthula were done this week. Workers have also laid the foundations at the Blueridge site, with a new primary and high school being planned for the community of Wallacedene. Construction was delayed by more than a year due to criminal activity.
Maynier added, ” Lwandle Primary School in Somerset West is also back on track following disruptions at the site. We are working hard to finish these delayed projects as soon as possible.”
Before 12 December 2023, department officials were successful in placing 99.43% of the learners, who applied for Grades 1 and 8 for this year. During the holidays, they received over 600 new applications. The MEC says more are likely to come in, in the coming weeks.
At this moment, 2 636 Grade 1 and 8 learners are still unplaced.
Fighting to place learners despite massive budget cut
Maynier has endeavoured that officials are working hard to place every learner at a school but reiterated (that) schools in the province are full.
