The thwarted decision to shut down a number of Cape schools had further ramifications when the matric results were announced last week.

Three of the schools earmarked for closure achieved better matric results than in previous years, the ANC in the Western Cape said.

When the results were announced, Western Cape ANC leader Marius Fransman said they had been “vindicated” in their efforts to halt the local education department from shutting the schools down.

He pointed out that three of the schools due for closure, including Beauvallon Secondary, which was an applicant in the Cape High Court urgent interdict, came through with flying colours.

The application last month was brought against the Western Cape education department’s MEC for education, Donald Grant, to stop him from shutting down some 20 schools.

The MEC announced the school closures because, he said, they had dwindling numbers and were not benefitting from multi-grade teaching.

In a serious blow to the local education department, the high court overturned the decision on December 21, 2012. Presiding Judge Siraj Desai said it was not good practice to shut down schools that were having difficulties and that they should be assisted instead.

“These matric results are proof that all our efforts to halt this process are vindicated,” Fransman told The New Age.

He visited the schools last week when the matric results were announced to congratulate principals, teachers and pupils.

He said the results were proof that the ANC position was right from the start and that it was correct that the schools stayed open to service the needs of families in their areas.

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