Statement following today's proceedings on the school closure process:

Earlier today, the Western Cape High Court requested the parties to the pending school closure matter to provide an interim solution that would take the matter forward urgently before the start of the 2013 school year (see report).

In response to the Court's request, Minister Grant and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) proposed an interim arrangement which has yet to be considered by the court.

The Minister and the WCED will oppose the review application, as they consider this application to be without merit.

We now look forward to the application for an urgent interdict being determined by the Court on Friday 21 December 2012 so that certainty as to the implementation of our 2013 plans for the affected learners and the educators will be given prior to the commencement of the new academic year.

The WCED will continue to do everything possible to ensure that the best interests of the learners, teachers and public service personnel concerned are protected and promoted.

Statement issued by Bronagh Casey - spokesperson for Minister of Western Cape Education Donal Grant, December 19 2012

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