Education

                        (a)    There is currently an application being reviewed for the closure of two schools.

            (b)    Proposed Closures: Lambert’s Bay Primary School and Graafwater High School.

         (c)    The proposed closures must be viewed within the context of the planning for educational provisioning within the broader Clanwilliam/ Graafwater/ Lambert’s Bay/Eland’s Bay area.

There are currently two schools in the Graafwater area that are 800m from each other, namely:

• Graafwater Primary School (Grades R – 7) with 335 learners
• Graafwater High School – takes in both primary and high school learners. (Grades R – 12) with 596 learners of which 371 learners are in Grades 8 – 12.

In Lambert’s Bay, there are currently two schools that are 700m from each other, namely:

• Lambert’s Bay Primary School (Grades R – 7) with 194 learners
• PW De Bruin Primary School (Grades R – 9) with 771 learners of which 131 learners are in Grades 8 and 9.

A review of the broader area highlighted a number of priority needs which include:

• the need for a high school in Lambert’s Bay since 63% of projected high school numbers (for 2020) are learners from the Lambert’s Bay and Eland’s Bay areas.
• the need for both a Special School and School of Skills to provide better access to education for all learners in the West Coast.

Of the 371 Grade 8 – 12 learners currently at Graafwater High School, 192 come from the Lambert’s Bay/Elands Bay area while 179 are from the immediate Graafwater area.  Projections of 2020 high school enrolment show that the learners who come from the immediate Graafwater area make up a maximum of 37%.

Given the scenario above, and taking into account access to education, the cost of learner transport and learner safety, it was recommended by the Department to close Graafwater High School.

It has also been recommended that the building be utilised as a School of Skills and Special Needs School (75% and 25% split)- both of which are much needed in the area.

(d)    Since Graafwater Primary School is being renovated (and currently holds the capacity to accommodate all learners from Grades R – 7, it has been recommended that the 226 Grade R – 7 learners currently enrolled at Graafwater High School could be easily accommodated at Graafwater Primary School.

In a similar vein, the 194 learners of Lambert’s Bay Primary School could be accommodated at PW De Bruin Primary School – with the 131 Grade 8 and 9 learners being enrolled at a high school.