Despite the Western Cape Government subsidising holiday security at 436 schools over the June/July holidays, schools have once again been targeted by criminals during this period.

Incidents of burglary and vandalism were reported by 38 schools during the holidays, mainly concentrated in the Metro education districts.

David Maynier, Western Cape Minister of Education, said only one of the incidents was considered major.

“Items stolen or damaged ranged from water piping to windows, cables to computers, fencing to fire-safety equipment, stationery to security gates and numerous other items,” he pointed out. “The cost of replacing and repairing these is still being calculated, and will divert funding away from the essential task of educating our learners.”

While the number of schools reporting incidents is a decrease from 42 schools affected in the same holiday period in 2022, the number of incidents remain unacceptably high and negatively affects children’s education, the minister said.

“At a time when we are providing extra classes to get our children #BackOnTrack we simply cannot afford to have normal teaching and learning time disrupted by criminals targeting school property.

“Someone somewhere knows who the perpetrators of these crimes are. Someone somewhere will be offered the goods stolen from our schools.”

The Western Cape Education Department appeals to the public to report any details about these crimes, no matter how small, to the South African Police Services immediately.

“In this way we can shut the criminal economy that is preying on our schools down.”