GEORGE NEWS - In light of the shortage of space in schools, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has been engaging with George Municipality on possible municipal-owned, education-zoned property, as well as buildings that have potential to be used for education purposes.

This is according to WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, who confirmed that the department is investigating collaboration with the private sector to secure funding for new schools, as was mentioned in a recent Ward 18 ratepayers meeting.

"In principle, the WCED encourages partnership with private sector education, and any proposal made will be assessed and considered by the WCED."

Asked about erf 6979, the open property opposite the Genevafontein Retirement Village in Stander Street that Ward 18 residents often speculate about, Hammond said this land "was not specifically discussed" with the municipality. 

She also said no specific study is being undertaken regarding the feasibility of this site for use by the private sector. "The WCED is not aware of any specific proposal submitted by the private sector regarding this property."

She said the department's engagements with the municipality are ongoing.

At the Ward 18 ratepayers meeting held in late October, George Municipality's Planning and Environmental Management deputy director Delia Power said land is very scarce at the moment and there have been some analysis of where the most dire need for schools exists.

She said erf 6979 is zoned for education. 

"The site is large enough for two schools if you consider the criteria for schools. The site has been planned for a school from the start, so the road networks are sufficient to deal with the demand. It will not be any different from other neighbourhoods that already have schools. 

"We have had enquiries around the land, but because it is not our land, we cannot say what is going to happen to it. The province needs to decide. There is no plan to develop this property for housing or a residential development at this stage."

The struggle of two young mothers to find land on which to establish a private Afrikaans school in George was featured in the newspaper earlier this year. They recently confirmed that their efforts to date have still been in vain.

Budget thwarts plans for 21 new schools

George Herald reported earlier this year that the WCED had planned to deliver 21 new and replacement schools for occupation by the start of the 2024 school year. 

These plans were dependent on its budget and the department indicated at the time that it was having discussions with National Treasury regarding budget allocations, which would determine whether the building of these projects would start in the current financial year.

The medium-term budget policy that was announced in November by National Government has, however, left the Western Cape with shortfalls in some departments, including education.

In her medium-term budget policy statement, Western Cape Finance MEC Mireille Wenger said the centrally negotiated and agreed-to public sector wage bill, implemented after the approval of the Western Cape annual budget, has meant that the province is confronted with unprecedented in-year budget cuts "because national government will not fully fund the impact". 

That is also with reference to the education department.

The last schools to be built in George were Jonga Street High and Tabatha Primary (a mobile school), in the 2018/2019 financial year.

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