MEC Rejects Informal School

The informal school, which was started at the beginning of the year, comprises of grades R to 11 classes and is situated next to the Baden Powel Road in Harare, Khayelitsha.

The "teachers" claim parents do not want to send their children to be transported to schools far from where they stay, and insisted on speaking to MEC Dugmore. They want the school to be recognised and given resources.

Department officials have been in contact with the group and asked them for the records and details of the learners, so that they can be enrolled in proper schools elsewhere in Khayelitsha.

The department has requested the parents and the "teachers" of the informal school to take the learners to the Keric Centre near the Khayelitsha Library, to be registered and placed in proper schools. The department is also prepared to transport the learners. However the "teachers" of the informal school have refused to cooperate.

Three weeks ago about 800 learners from the Lower Crossroads and Phillippi communities have been admitted to various schools in those areas after a group of unemployed teachers initiated an informal school and tried to blackmail government into employing them.

The 'teachers', who recruited some of the learners from other schools, made the learners sit in the outside under trees, which was totally unnecessary as the department was completely committed to finding accommodation for all our learners.

MEC Dugmore has told them in no uncertain terms that anyone who continues to sustain this illegal school, will not be employed by the department for as long as he remains MEC. These learners have now been accommodated in nearby schools.

MEC Dugmore was equally harsh with the latest developments in Enkanini. He said: "We cannot allow people to just start schools and expect the department to give them classrooms.

"I have asked the department to have the children enrolled in proper schools in Khayelitsha as soon as possible."

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Gert Witbooi
Media Secretary
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689
Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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