Joy as judges reject closure of schools
Cape Town - 31-07-13 Parents and teachers celebrate outside the Western Cape High Court after it was ordered that schools which had opposed their closure remain open. Picture Brenton Geach Cape Town - 31-07-13 Parents and teachers celebrate outside the Western Cape High Court after it was ordered that schools which had opposed their closure remain open. Picture Brenton Geach
Michelle Jones
Education Writer
SHOUTS of joy rang out on the steps of the Western Cape High Court yesterday when it emerged that Education MEC Donald Grant’s decision to close 17 schools had been set aside.
But Grant said the judgment “compromised the education opportunities for the learners at the 17 schools”.
ANC Western Cape chairman Marius Fransman addressed members of the media and parents and teachers immediately after judgment had been handed down.
He called on Grant to “fall on his sword”. “I don’t know why (Premier Helen) Zille is keeping Grant around. Grant must resign.” Fransman also called on Zille to resign for her role in the matter.
Advocate Norman Arendse, who had represented the 17 schools in the court case, said: “We are absolutely delighted. We were always confident.”
South African Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Jonavon Rustin called the decision a “victory in education in our country”, especially for “poor, working class learners and parents”.
“The union will not allow the bullies in the provincial education department who use the state’s resources to jeopardise the future of the poor and working class children to win.”
Save Our Schools’ Magnus de Jongh said the court’s decision was a vindication.
“We are asking the department not to appeal the judgment, rather use the money to upgrade the schools or provide support.”
David Lawn, principal of Beauvallon Secondary in Valhalla Park, said the decision would allow the school to move on. “I’m elated, ecstatic. It means we can properly plan for the next year.”
Principal of Lavis Rylaan in Bishop Lavis, Brenda Davis, said today would be a new beginning for the school.
“We are going to celebrate. We are really very excited.”
But Grant called yesterday a “sad day for education”.
“The Western Cape Education Department will, however, continue to support these schools. My final decision to close these schools, in October, was made in the best interests of the learners concerned and I believe that the court’s decision will ultimately result in a loss of better education opportunities for these learners.”
Grant said the findings of the court would be respected and its recommendations concerning closure procedures would be considered.
michelle.jones@inl.co.za