SADTU vindicated - 14 schools faced with imminent closure to remain open.

9 February 2015

The Western Cape Government has finally succumbed to pressure from SADTU and has withdrawn the notice to close 14 schools in the province.

For two years the Western Cape Government kept these schools hostage as part of an ill conceived plan of the then MEC for Education, Donald Grant. This caused instability in communities, uncertainty amongst teachers and support staff, as well as confusion amongst learners. The emotional scars will linger for many years.

SADTU is vindicated by the offer made by the Western Cape Government who, under pressure from the Union, negative public opinion and an imminent Constitutional Court application, decided to withdraw the notice to close 14 schools after wasting million of tax-payers' money through court processes.

When the Provincial Government realized that their attempt to get a cost award against SADTU in the Supreme Court of Appeal failed, they threw in the towel.

The decision to start the process afresh will be closely monitored by SADTU and we can assure schools, we will not forsake them.

We want to place on record that we will never accept that Matric results, ANA and Systemic evaluation scores be used as criteria to close schools. These tools are meant to test the system and to allow the Western Cape Education Department to develop intervention plans to improve the system and not to close schools.

We warn the Western Cape Government to tread cautiously if they want to close schools. We demand a dignified process in terms of Section 33 of the South African Schools Act and meaningful consultation with communities.

Statement issued by Jonavon Rustin, SACP Western Cape Provincial Secretary, February 9 2015

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter