Full to capacity schools turn away learners

WITH thousands of children starting or returning to school this week, hundreds of parents are faced with the dilemma of finding a school that will accept their children.

Social media platforms were buzzing on Wednesday morning with complaints from parents who could not get their children into local primary or high schools, despite having applied in time. One mother of a Grade 4 pupil spoke to Berea Mail about her battle to find a school for her son this year.

The mother, who asked not to be named, said she was faced with the prospect of having to find a new school for her son, as his previous school, Berea Primary, did not accommodate boys from Grade 4.

“Berea Primary apparently doesn’t have facilities to accommodate boys after Grade 3. The school does not help parents find new schools for the boys. I had been liaising with Glenwood Prep, as this school is close (1.5km) to where I live in Musgrave, and I dropped off my application early in 2015. I spoke to the principal, who said the Department makes the decision of who is accepted. I also applied at Morningside Primary,” she said.

She then went to the Department of Education in Acton Road to speak to them about finding a place for her son in a local school and was told by a Mr Mthembu that it was too early in the year and she should wait until applications closed at the end of June.

“I was still hopeful, but on 20 July I received a letter from Glenwood Prep to say there was no space for my son. After sending a motivation letter, I received a second letter on 6 August to say the school caters to children from a feeder school and these get first priority. I spoke to Mr Mthembu and he said he hadn’t been to the school and would find out why my son wasn’t accepted, but he didn’t get back to me,” she said.

She was concerned as no one could tell her why her son was rejected from Glenwood Prep. What made matters worse was when a colleague applied after she had and her child was accepted. Her son’s friend, who lives in Sydenham, was also accepted.

The mother said she had a response from Morningside Primary School to say there was no space for her son. She also approached Penzance Primary School and Manor Gardens, but she was also turned away by them.

“I was told there was no space and there was no point in collecting application forms. I liaised with Mr Brijlal from Truro House at the end of August, and he emailed me in September to say my son would be suitably placed in November, which never happened. I have been backwards and forwards to the Department and have had no joy. It saddens me that the people who are meant to be helping parents aren’t doing their job. I find it frustrating that I have been trying to find a space for my son for a year, and he isn’t able to start school this week. I feel so helpless, I have done everything,” she said.

In response, Glenwood Prep responded saying the school had been inundated with applications and all unsuccessful applications had been referred to the Department of Education as is standard procedure.

Mbali Ntuli from the Education Department said: “This remains one of the biggest issues in education. Unfortunately schools in this particular area are very sought after and once full, even if a learner resides in the area, the school may not have the capacity to take on any more learners. I will raise this matter in our education committee and seek urgent assistance from the department. I will also place on the agenda a proposal for a more streamlined way for these matters to be processed before the end of the school year, that way ensuring any parents with outstanding matters can have them dealt with by the end of the year and know their children have a school the following year.”