Questions about Benoni High placement process
The Gauteng Department of Education has opened its online application system for parents who missed the June deadline, but parents who applied before the deadline are still worried about their children’s acceptance at schools in 2018.
Parents who applied at Benoni High School (BHS) have complained because the school reached its maximum capacity within 48 hours.
“It is true that the school reached the 300 qualified applicants within 48 hours,” said BHS acting principal Glen van der Westhuizen.
“However, applications were not deemed late until the closing date.”
A parent who did not want to be named said she understood the criteria for acceptance to be that the parents live or work in the area or that an older sibling is already a learner at the school.
Van der Westhuizen said that the Department of Education (DoE) has not conveyed to parents that having an older sibling in a school does not guarantee automatic acceptance of a younger sibling.
The parent also complained that some learners who were placed do not qualify as they are not from feeder schools nor do their parents live or work in the area.
“We are aware of this,” van der Westhuizen said in response.
“However, the department places learners and our hands are tied when they do so.”
Another parent said the lack of space in the school should not be her problem.
“I live four kilometres from BHS and my son cannot go to BHS because the school is not big enough. Why is it my problem?” she asked.
Van der Westhuizen said it is not that simple to accept learners beyond the number of Grade 12s leaving.
DoE spokesperson Steve Mabona said parents who have already applied online and are awaiting placement should not reapply, but should visit their nearest district office for assistance.
“A number of our schools are over-subscribed and cannot accept any more learners.
“We plead with parents to accept alternative offers of placement.”
He explained that learners will be placed at schools based on space.
“Benoni High School is among schools with a high volume of applications, and capacity dictates placement,” he said.
“Unfortunately, not all applicants will be accommodated.”
Also read: St Dunstan’s reveals top learners
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