Despite the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) providing holiday security to 486 schools over the December holidays 26 incidents of burglary and vandalism were recorded at 24 schools over the holidays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this is a significant decrease compared to the same period last year, when 48 incidents were reported at 42 schools, the WCED is nonetheless disappointed that schools, once again, must pick up the pieces after criminal damage and theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Items stolen or damaged ranged from gas cylinders and food to computers and cameras. Damaged property includes electrical boxes, windows, ceilings, doors and security equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to David Maynier, Minister of Education in the Western Cape, it is unacceptable that funding has to be diverted from educational purposes each year to replacing items that have been stolen or repairing infrastructure damaged for no reason, especially in a significantly stressed financial environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDamaging and stealing from schools sabotages our children\u2019s futures,\u201d he said, \u201cand we appeal to the public to come forward if they notice anyone attempting to sell goods that have been stolen from our schools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone, somewhere knows these perpetrators, and we appeal to them to do the right thing so that our schools cease to be a target of crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporting any suspicious-looking activity in the vicinity of our schools to the South African Police Service or the Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 immediately will go a long way to reduce the trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHelp us to protect our schools and the future of our learners in the Western Cape.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) providing holiday security to 486 schools over the December holidays 26 incidents of burglary and vandalism were recorded at 24 schools over the 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