Latest news with #WesternCapeEducationDepartment
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
'Sex pest' accused teacher 'had her eye on minor', court hears
A former Harvester Primary Grade R teacher returned to the Mitchell's Plain Magistrates Court on Thursday, which heard shocking details from the minor she is accused of sexually grooming. The 35-year-old accused teacher returned to court to proceed with her bail application while facing charges of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material. The court heard details claiming that the teacher "had her eyes on the minor for a while" while a criminal case is under investigation against the school's principal. The investigating officer in the matter, Warrant Officer Roland Peters, returned to the stand, and said the case was reported to Lentegeur police station on June 9. The court heard that he went to the school on June 10, when the principal said she was made aware of the allegations of an explicit video sent by the teacher on June 4. Peters said the principal went to the house of the victim on June 6 to collect the cellphone to gather evidence on the allegations, however, the court heard that she did not report the matter to SAPS but rather the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) as that was the correct process to follow. The court heard that police officials were given an address in Athlone where they found the accused at her home and arrested her. Peters said that he took a statement from the 13-year-old minor who told him that he was uncomfortable with those chats he had with the teacher. Peters said: 'They chatted on TikTok and he asked her if they can rather chat on WhatsApp because he is more familiar with WhatsApp. He indicated that on the chats she asked him not to call her ma'am and to call her by her first name. He reported that it made him feel uncomfortable calling an adult person by their first name yet alone an educator. The chats later evolved to where he asked her specifically what she wants from him. She indicated that she likes him, that she has been watching him at school, she wants to kiss him and that she wants to do things." The court heard that the boy did not know how to respond to this and showed the chats to his friends as the nature of the chats involved words that he did not know like 'vibrator" and "dildo.' Peters added: 'The teacher sent him this video, he was shocked and surprised as he did not expect that video of that nature. He said the very next day he blocked her on WhatsApp because it was disgusting." The case was postponed to July 15 for arguments and judgment for the teacher's bail. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Artscape Youth Jazz Series: honouring the legacy of 1976
Schools Jazz Band at Artscape last weekend Image: Ian Landsberg Youth Month is rooted in honouring the bravery and sacrifice of young South Africans who helped dismantle Apartheid — a legacy that continues to inspire. That same spirit pulsed through Artscape, where the spotlight shone not only on remembrance, but also on rhythm, mentorship, and the boundless promise of tomorrow. The iconic Cape Town arts centre came alive with new energy, as dozens of young musicians and creatives filled its spaces with song, storytelling, and purpose, honouring the legacy of the youth of 1976. At the heart of it all was the Artscape Youth Jazz Series (AYJ) — a vibrant celebration of talent, growth, and opportunity, backed by the Western Cape Education Department and committed partners. The excitement kicked off when the Youth Jazz Soloists Concert gave 14 handpicked musicians the chance to perform like professionals. For some, it was their first time under stage lights. For others, it was a significant step closer to a lifelong dream. The line-up included vocalists like Sarah Pengilly, Caleb Meyer, and Adrea Martinez, who were joined by pianists Bruce Basson and Kyle Damons, guitarists Cole Krieling and Daniel Roux, and a host of other promising talents — from teenage trumpeters to 20-something drummers. Each had spent a month learning from some of South Africa's most respected jazz musicians. And it showed. Their setlists blended original compositions with classics by South African jazz greats like Sibongile Khumalo, Bokani Dyer, Zoe Modiga, Nomfundo Xaluva, and the late Alvin Dyers, telling a story of love, culture, and identity told through melody. Professor Amanda Tiffin, Head of Jazz Studies at UCT and director of the Soloist's Showcase, spoke to the heart of the programme: Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux with the CCFM team Image: Ian Landsberg 'AYJ has been a launchpad for many young artists who were considering music as a career option. The programme provides the participants with an insider's experience of a professional production, and the close interactions with experienced professionals as mentors has often cemented a young person's decision to pursue music further.' The celebration continued when the School Jazz Bands Concert brought 11 diverse bands to the stage — including ensembles from Bergvliet High, South Peninsula High, Christel House, Cedar High, Belhar High, and more. The concert was guided by the Western Cape Education Department's Music Directorate. This year's AYJ was dedicated to two giants of the South African jazz scene — the late Alvin Dyers, one of the festival's earliest mentors, and Rashid Lombard, founder of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. The Artscape also hosted the 4th Annual CCFM Career Expo, which saw hundreds of young people engaging with over 60 exhibitors — from SAPS and engineering to accounting and beauty therapy. And in another wing of the building, the Youth Leadership Training Programme (YLTP), run with the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), wrapped up with a heartfelt graduation ceremony. Artscape CEO Dr Marlene le Roux reflected on the depth of the weekend's impact: 'Youth Day and Youth Month are more than just a slogan for us at Artscape and our partners. We engage with youth all year round providing a safe space where the youth can engage with other young people to continue strengthening our democracy which the youth of 1976 fought for 50 years ago: for equal education for all. 'Youth Day cannot be about slogans. We owe it to the youth of 1976 who died so that the youth of today can lead meaningful lives and reach their full potential, eradicating poverty while embracing humanity. Therefore, we implement the constitution through the arts, creating opportunities for relevant skills transfer and opening doors to the youth of today all year round, not just during Youth Month.'
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
WCED accused of spinning infrastructure woes into a success story
The WCED announced an infrastructure rollout to meet growing learner demand, but critics cite teacher cuts and inequality. Image: File THE 19% enrolment growth in public schools between 2015 and 2024 placed pressure on school infrastructure and staffing resources, says the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). To address the demand driven partly by in-migration from other provinces, the WCED said it was ramping up infrastructure investment. Speaking during a meeting of the Provincial Parliament's Standing Committee on Education this week, WCED officials said the province recorded a 2.3% average increase of enrolment in public schools annually. The department currently serves more than 1.3 million learners across 1,887 schools. In response to infrastructure demand, the WCED has launched its Rapid School Build Programme, with a hope to deliver 26 new school projects over the next three years. According to the department, a further 290 new classrooms and 21 Grade R classrooms are also planned for the same period. The department said 59 school maintenance projects are currently under construction for the 2025/26 financial year, with an additional 26 projects in planning. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Leon van Wyk, DA Western Cape spokesperson on education, said the department had maintained discipline in budget allocation despite rising costs. 'From 2022 to 2025, the WCED has kept employee compensation at a sustainable 71% to 72% of its budget — the lowest among major provinces,' said Van Wyk. 'This has allowed us to invest more in critical services like textbooks, learner transport, nutrition programmes, and infrastructure.' Van Wyk contrasted this with other provinces, stating that KwaZulu-Natal had spent over 83% of its education budget on salaries over four consecutive years, leaving less for other education needs. 'To ensure every learner has a seat in a safe, functional classroom, we must continue to prioritise infrastructure spending. It's not optional — it's essential.' However, ANC Western Cape leader of the opposition, Khalid Sayed, said the DA's narrative 'attempts to spin the Western Cape Education Department's infrastructure crisis into a success story'. In a statement, Sayed said: 'The WCED has had more than enough time to plan for the enrollment increase. Instead, what we have seen is delayed school builds, under-resourced township and rural schools, and an overreliance on rapid or modular builds.' Social service and educational organisation, Ilitha Labantu, also raised concerns about staffing reductions. The organisation cited figures from the WCED indicating that 2,407 teacher posts had been cut across the province as of January. These cuts took place in the context of a R3.8 billion projected shortfall in the education budget over the next three years. According to Ilitha Labantu, nearly 70% of the schools affected by the staff reductions were no-fee schools that serve township and vulnerable communities, meaning. Schools in areas such as Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain reported class sizes exceeding 50 learners per teacher. In a statement, Ilitha Labantu said: 'While the department promotes LED lighting, fencing upgrades, and solar installations at some schools, learners in township communities continue to endure unsafe, overcrowded, and dilapidated school infrastructure.' Ilitha Labantu cited recent incidents, including the abduction and rape of a 14-year-old learner in Langa, and the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old learner from Samora Machel while walking to school, as examples of the vulnerability learners face. Both the ANC and Ilitha Labantu called for the WCED to release a detailed breakdown of infrastructure and staffing backlogs by district. CAPE TIMES
IOL News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
WCED's infrastructure plans face criticism over teacher cuts and inequality
The WCED announced an infrastructure rollout to meet growing learner demand, but critics cite teacher cuts and inequality. Image: File The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said it was ramping up infrastructure investment to address growing learner numbers and financial constraints, as enrolment across provincial schools continues to rise. Speaking during a meeting of the Provincial Parliament's Standing Committee on Education this week, WCED officials said enrolment in public schools grew by 19% between 2015 and 2024, with an average annual increase of 2.3%. The department currently serves more than 1.3 million learners across 1,887 schools. According to the WCED, the increase in enrolment has been driven largely by in-migration from other provinces. Department officials said the growth had placed pressure on school infrastructure and staffing resources. Leon van Wyk, DA Western Cape spokesperson on education, said the department had maintained discipline in budget allocation despite rising costs. 'From 2022 to 2025, the WCED has kept employee compensation at a sustainable 71% to 72% of its budget — the lowest among major provinces,' said Van Wyk. 'This has allowed us to invest more in critical services like textbooks, learner transport, nutrition programmes, and infrastructure.' Van Wyk contrasted this with other provinces, stating that KwaZulu-Natal had spent over 83% of its education budget on salaries over four consecutive years, leaving less for other education needs. He said: 'To ensure every learner has a seat in a safe, functional classroom, we must continue to prioritise infrastructure spending. It's not optional — it's essential.' In response to infrastructure demand, the WCED has launched its Rapid School Build Programme, which is expected to deliver 26 new school projects over the next three years. According to the department, a further 290 new classrooms and 21 Grade R classrooms are also planned for the same period. The department said 59 school maintenance projects are currently under construction for the 2025/26 financial year, with an additional 26 projects in planning. Since 2021, the WCED has implemented LED lighting upgrades at 167 schools, installed solar PV systems at 91 schools, and completed fencing improvements at 167 schools. Van Wyk said the department's decisions were based on long-term planning and data, aimed at improving education infrastructure while keeping the system financially sustainable. However, ANC Western Cape leader of the opposition, Khalid Sayed, criticised the department's approach. In a statement, he said the DA's narrative 'attempts to spin the Western Cape Education Department's infrastructure crisis into a success story'. Sayed said: 'The WCED has had more than enough time to plan for the enrolment increase. Instead, what we have seen is delayed school builds, under-resourced township and rural schools, and an overreliance on rapid or modular builds.' He expressed concern over the department's budget focus, saying that the containment of wage costs resulted in fewer teachers and larger class sizes. Social service and educational organisation, Ilitha Labantu, also raised concerns about staffing reductions. The organisation cited figures from the WCED indicating that 2,407 teacher posts had been cut across the province as of January 1, 2025. It said these cuts took place in the context of a R3.8 billion projected shortfall in the education budget over the next three years. According to Ilitha Labantu, nearly 70% of the schools affected by the staff reductions were no-fee schools that serve township and vulnerable communities. The organisation said schools in areas such as Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain reported class sizes exceeding 50 learners per teacher. In a statement, Ilitha Labantu said: 'While the department promotes LED lighting, fencing upgrades, and solar installations at some schools, learners in township communities continue to endure unsafe, overcrowded, and dilapidated school infrastructure.' The organisation also raised safety concerns. It said school audits and public education monitoring had revealed that more than half of under-resourced schools in the province had experienced vandalism or theft, and only 47% had effective perimeter fencing. Ilitha Labantu cited recent incidents, including the abduction and rape of a 14-year-old learner in Langa, and the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old learner from Samora Machel while walking to school, as examples of the vulnerability learners face. Both the ANC and Ilitha Labantu called for the WCED to release a detailed breakdown of infrastructure and staffing backlogs by district. They also called for increased funding from the Department of Basic Education and the National Treasury to support staffing, infrastructure, and school safety in disadvantaged areas. [email protected]
IOL News
16-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Deadline approaches for Western Cape parents on school choices for Grades R, 1, or 8
Education MEC David Maynier with Timour Hall Primary School's Grade 1 pupils on their first day of primary school. Image: Supplied Western Cape parents who have received more than one offer for their child in Grade R, 1 or 8 in 2026 have until Tuesday, 17 June, to confirm their school of choice. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said that parents who have been offered a place for their child must confirm their choice of school by 17 June 2025, and after tomorrow, their highest-ranked choice of school will be automatically confirmed. The WCED had previously said that over 44,000 learners have been accepted to more than one school, allowing for additional places to open up for other learners who have not received successful applications at schools, or at their school of choice. 'We call these 'double parkers'. Once these 'double parked' learners are confirmed to a specific school, the places at the other schools can be offered to other learners.' On Sunday, Education MEC David Maynier said: 'After Tuesday, the online admissions system will auto-confirm their top-ranked choice of school, freeing up thousands of remaining places for other parents. 'Schools will continue to fill remaining places until the end of July.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading While the online admissions system is now closed for Grade R, 1 and 8 applications, parents can still apply for 2026 by applying either at one of the WCED's Education District offices or at a school. The schools can capture an application; however, this does not confirm acceptance. On Monday, Maynier's spokesperson, Kerry Mauchline, said that the number of learner applications they are currently dealing with is 57,000 for Grade R, 24,000 for Grade 1, and 93,000 for Grade 8. The WCED explained that there will be learners who are not successful in getting placed during this initial phase. 'We know that this is extremely stressful and disappointing, but we appeal to parents to bear in mind that we are still very early in the admissions process, and thousands of places will still open up once 'double parkers' accept their school.' Parents have been advised to stay in touch with the schools they applied to and to request that the learner be placed on a waiting list. 'While the wait is stressful, there will be many shifts within the system as parents confirm and decline places. This happens over the next few months or so as schools finalise their admissions lists. If parents still do not have a place for their child later this year, the department will assist them with placement options.' Parents can please call 0861 819 919 for further advice if required. Parents will be able to check their outcomes at:
