The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has expanded its holiday security support from 424 schools last winter to 453 high-risk schools ahead of the 2026 June-July holidays, allocating R11,99 million for holiday security in the 2026/27 financial year.

The move comes as schools across the province face a growing threat of vandalism and burglaries during school breaks — placing increasing pressure on departmental resources even as crime prevention remains primarily the responsibility of the police.

Damage and disruption

During a recent term break, 25 schools reported 28 incidents of burglary and vandalism, causing nearly R400 000 in damages. Stolen and damaged items included computers, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures and security infrastructure, diverting resources away from teaching and learning.

Despite this, the department’s interventions have yielded results. Incidents declined over the 2025/26 summer holidays, dropping from 47 incidents affecting 34 schools during the previous holiday period to 36 incidents affecting 32 schools.

Rising investment in school safety

Expenditure on holiday security has increased steadily, rising from R57,3 million in 2024/25 to R70,26 million in 2025/26. The total allocation for 2026/27 stands at R72,68 million.

Schools identified through district risk assessments receive support for 12-hour or 24-hour guarding, as well as cluster patrols. The department also provides target-hardening measures, including alarms linked to armed response, burglar bars, stone guards, security gates, automated access gate, and fencing repairs.

Call for stronger policing

While communities have an important role to play in protecting schools during the June holidays, the DA has called on the police to intensify visible policing around educational facilities and to strengthen efforts to combat criminal elements targeting places of learning.

“Every school that is vandalised represents a direct attack on a child’s future. We urge communities to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity to the police or the Safe Schools Hotline on 0800 45 46 47. A watchful community can defeat even the most determined criminals,” said Peter Johnson, DA provincial spokesperson on education.

Johnson added that he would be writing to the office of the provincial commissioner to obtain a clear understanding of what plans the police have in place to protect schools during the June holidays.

“As places of learning increasingly become targets for vandalism and theft, visible policing and proactive interventions are essential. Communities and schools cannot fight this battle alone, and the police must play its full role in safeguarding our children’s futures. Criminals and vandals must be caught and successfully prosecuted to ensure the safety of our schools,” he said.

ALSO READ: School placement crisis hits Kraaifontein’s growing communities