Of the 20 schools to be closed in the Western Province, 3 are from the Knysna area. These are Rondevlei Primary School, Redlands Primary School and Brackenhill Primary School.

Reasons given by Donald Grant, the MEC for Education, are poor infrastructure, dwindling learners and that many grades are sometimes being taught in one classroom. Whether justified or not, it’s a topic set to become another battle between politicians as the ANC, who themselves have closed many schools across South Africa (over a 1000 in 12 years), have vowed to fight the closures.

New schools are being built in Knysna and will open in 2013. They will provide better facilities but that will be dampened by the longer distances rural kids will have to travel to get an education. Teachers will be transferred to other schools.

For an analysis of the situation, read The ANC on School Closures – Can They Win? at the Daily Maverick.