Education MEC apologises for delays in department’s online application website
JOBURG – Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi apologised for glitches in the online registration process that frustrated parents across the country.
After a third missed deadline and swelling annoyance from parents, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has said 5 035 parents were able to register on the department’s online applications website in the first 10 minutes after the site went live at 2.30pm this afternoon.
The province’s online system registers children for Grades 1 to 8. Parents have until 1 June to register their children for the 2017 academic year.
While the process seems to be running now, Lesufi swallowed his pride and admitted to glitches and challenges, apologising to parents for the delays. “I have convened this media briefing to apologise to the people of Gauteng and South Africa at large for the delays and I am excited that the website has gone online … We anticipate it will be in a position to carry a capacity of 20 000 logs per second and will allow all parents who want to register, to register their children.” The MEC also added that they have prioritise visually impaired parents who have children who attend mainstream schools.
“All parents can apply online from today 19 April to the 1 June, to be in a position to [have their children] admitted or face being automatically put onto a waiting list. Parents who don’t have internet connection can go to local libraries in the province. I would like to urge all parents to apply online because you will not find application forms at school. Let’s go online,” Lesufi said.
The system was postponed last week due to a number of problems with the portal, which led it to crash. “I know the pain is too much now, the pain is heavy but the future looks bright,” Lesufi said.
