Minister inspects safety measures, wellness and academic progress in Mitchells Plain schools
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube visited several Mitchells Plain education sites on 10 September as part of an oversight programme that concentrated on school safety and learner support ahead of the national Literacy Month campaign. The minister toured Lentegeur Secondary School, a Beacon Valley early childhood development (ECD) centre and Spine Road High School, speaking with school leadership, pupils and staff while inspecting facilities and safety arrangements.
Gwarube said schools must be safe spaces where pupils can learn and succeed, and that the visits were intended to check that safety protocols were being followed and that learners receive support beyond the classroom, including counselling and after‑school programmes.
“Our pupils must be safe,” said Gwarube, describing the visit as part of a series of oversight programmes in Mitchells Plain with a focus on Literacy Month as well as school safety.
At Lentegeur Secondary, curator principal Clive Arries highlighted that safety and security remain a top priority. Arries said the school works with law enforcement and the South African Police Service (SAPS) and has a functioning safety committee that includes representatives from local churches. Deputy principal Natasha Heugh outlined recent academic gains and extra‑curricular growth.
- Grade 12 improvement: from 9.6% in 2023 to 20.1% in 2025, according to the school’s reported figures.
- Wellness and nutrition: the school launched a wellness hub in 2025 and has an expanded feeding scheme.
- Facilities and safety: Lentegeur is integrating solar panels and has made changes to its grounds to improve visibility and security.
Heugh said the school uses data to identify areas needing attention and to set targets for the 2026 matric cohort. She also reported growth in sports activities, including netball, soccer, rugby and volleyball, which the school views as part of a broader learner support strategy.
| School | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Lentegeur Secondary | Matric pass improved to 20.1% in 2025; wellness hub; expanded feeding scheme; solar panels and grounds changes |
| Beacon Valley ECD | Inspected as part of oversight visit (focus on early learner support) |
| Spine Road High School | Facilities and safety measures reviewed during visit |
The visits were framed by the department as a response to concerns that some schools can be perceived as environments where violence disrupts learning. Gwarube emphasised that the department wanted to ensure safety protocols were active and that support services such as counselling and after‑school programmes were available to learners.
Local school officials described practical steps already taken to strengthen safety and learner well‑being: collaboration with SAPS, community involvement through church representatives on safety committees, investment in visibility and perimeter changes at school grounds, and on‑site wellness services addressing mental health and nutritional needs.
Implications for Mitchells Plain learners
For parents and learners in Mitchells Plain, the oversight visits underline two immediate priorities: reducing barriers to learning created by insecurity, and expanding non‑academic support to address pupils’ wider needs. The reported rise in matric results at Lentegeur — while still modest — points to the potential impact of targeted interventions such as data‑driven tracking, wellness services and stronger community partnerships.
How these interventions are scaled across the suburb’s other schools will be key to sustaining progress. The department’s attention during Literacy Month presents an opportunity to ensure reading and foundational skills are bolstered alongside safety measures, but the effectiveness of such oversight will depend on consistent follow‑through, funding for learner support services and continued cooperation between schools, provincial education authorities and community stakeholders.
Gwarube’s visit placed Mitchells Plain schools at the centre of a practical conversation about how safety and welfare measures can contribute to better educational outcomes. School leaders said they will continue working with law enforcement and community groups to keep learners safe and supported as they prepare for the 2026 academic year.
