Newly signed school uniforms memorandum to assist struggling families
By Sisonke Mlamla
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Cape Town - Hard-pressed families could soon be saving on school uniforms following the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at stopping schools from forcing parents to buy from exclusive suppliers.
The Competition Commission, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and four associations representing school governing bodies (SGBs) joined forces to strengthen regulation on the procurement of school uniforms and other learning-related goods and services.
The organisations signed the MoU on Monday, which culminated after years of investigations and advocacy, following complaints received from parents who were forced to buy school uniforms from exclusively selected suppliers.
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59 Western Cape schools damaged by burglaries and vandalism during the holidays
By Sisonke Mlamla
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Cape Town - The number of burglaries and incidents of vandalism at schools in the province during the holidays has increased to 59, says the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that during the 2020/21 holiday period, 59 incidents were reported – 48 minor, four major, seven attempted burglaries or vandalism. She said 39 incidents were reported in 2019.
Hammond said the districts where the major incidents occurred included two schools in the Cape Winelands, one in Metro Central and one in Metro South.
“All four cases were reported to the police. Items stolen included fencing, computers, data projectors, electrical equipment and gas cylinders,” she said.
As schools prepare for the 2021 academic year, the Competition Commission has vowed to take action against those not complying with the Competition Act and guidelines regarding procurement of uniforms and learning materials.