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The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the decision by the WCED to place a moratorium on the closure of schools in the province. This will go a long way in ensuring that learners continue to receive quality education in every classroom.

I will be submitting parliamentary questions to ascertain the number of schools that would stay open as a result of this decision.

Currently, national guidelines – specifically the Standard Parameters for Closure and Merger of Micro Public Schools and Guidelines for Rationalisation and Realignment of Public Schools – A Holistic Approach – allow for schools to be closed in the event where they can be described as micro schools and where multiple grades are taught within the same classroom.

As such, if these guidelines are followed, many children will find themselves without a suitable environment to learn. Minister David Maynier revealed in the Provincial Parliament yesterday further that the impact of implementing these national guidelines mean closing primary schools with fewer than 135 learners and secondary schools with fewer than 200.

While the national Department of Education is of the opinion that these policies would be conducive for school rationalisation and realignment, we believe the opposite would take place. It simply does not take into account the unique circumstances of schools, especially those situated in rural areas within the province.

MPP Deidré Baartman says: “We implore that the national guidelines be reviewed and that more resources from National Treasury are redirected to keeping our schools open. The current approach will not facilitate an environment in which children can learn. As the DA, we look forward to the developments the WCED will make in creating its own data-led policy.”      

Issued by Deidré Baartman, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education