While pupils started the new school year last week, Washington Drive Primary School had to delay its opening as it was still completing “administrative procedures”.
The new school is due to accept an intake of Grade 1, 2, and 3, pupils this year (“Washington Drive ready for new school year, Plainsman, November 13, 2019).
The school’s pupil complement will be made up largely of pupils who were unable to get into other schools in Mitchell’s Plain.
Explaining why the school did not open along with all the others on Wednesday January 15, Western Cape Education Department director of communications Bronagh Hammond said that the unfortunate delays were due to “administrative processes” needing to be completed.
“The district received approval for the appointment of the principal on Monday January 13. An interim school governing body now has to do the recruitment and selection of teachers,” she said. This selection process took place on Monday January 20 with the Ward 75 councillor and the Western Cape Education Department.”
The school building was ready, said Ms Hammond and the process of recruitment and selection was under way. They were, however, awaiting the delivery of furniture and learning and teaching support materials.
Two hundred and forty pupils were accepted to grade 1, 2 and 3. Six teachers, two heads of department , one principal, a foreman, general cleaner and admin clerk will be appointed.
“Parents will be informed to come and register once the above is in place. We are hoping that the school will start within the next two weeks or so, by the end of January,” said Ms Hammond.