Last-minute reprieve for W Cape schools
2012-12-21 14:21
Cape Town - The Western Cape High Court on Friday instructed
provincial education MEC Donald Grant to re-instate leases and basic services
to 17 of the 18 schools he intends to close.
Judge Siraj Desai granted the schools, their governing
bodies and the SA Democratic Teachers' Union an urgent interdict halting the
closures.
Grant and his department were "interdicted from
transferring or compelling to move any of the registered learners and
educators... save in those cases where the learners and educators voluntarily
choose to do so".
One of the 18 schools, Tonko Bosman in Somerset West, had
agreed to the closure.
Desai said he would give reasons for his ruling later. He
indicated that his colleague, Judge Dennis Davis, did not agree with the order
"in principle", while Judge Elizabeth Baartman was in agreement.
A final review application on the school closures would be
heard in the same court in the new year.
Grant maintained that low enrolment numbers, multi-grade
classes or a decline in pupil numbers were lawful reasons for his decision.
Parents and teachers insisted the move was unlawful and would prejudice children.
- SAPA
