As the winter school break is in full swing the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) urges communities to keep an eye on local schools and to report any suspicious activities to the police.
The WCED says during the December holiday it saw a surge in cases of burglary and vandalism despite increasing the number of schools where the Western Cape Government subsidised holiday security.
Over this period, 47 incidents of burglary or vandalism were reported by 34 schools.
David Maynier, provincial education minister, says while most incidents were minor, they were costly to schools, both in terms of the cost of replacement and the impact on school functionality.
Items damaged or stolen included electrical fixtures, appliances, food for learners, bathroom fixtures, fencing and security equipment and windows among others.
Maynier wished teachers and learners a well-deserved break.
“As schools close for the winter break, we wish all of our learners, teachers and school staff members a safe and peaceful holiday after a very busy term.”
He said teaching and learning would continue for matriculants.
“A special thank you to our matrics and the teachers who will be sacrificing part of their holiday to attend #BackOnTrack lessons and training, in order to improve learning outcomes and prepare for the final exams at the end of the year.”
He urged residents to be their eyes and ears over the holiday.
“If you see anything suspicious occurring in and around our schools, please contact the police immediately. Your quick reporting can make all the difference in apprehending perpetrators and retrieving stolen goods.”
