Diepsloot parents frantic to register children in schools
DIEPSLOOT - Scores of Diepsloot parents made last-minute frantic efforts to enrol their children in local schools as learning commenced on 13 January, with many of them walking in and out of school gates trying to secure an education for their children.
Government schools which offer free education were no longer enrolling pupils by 13 January, compelling parents to take their children to Basa, a low-fee private school which opened its doors in Diepsloot a few years ago.
“It is not easy to get a place at Muzimhlope Primary School because it’s a no-fees school,” said one mother, Laiza Mafulani.
Mafulani said she attempted last year, but was advised to try again on opening day. “The school said I could get a chance if any registered student failed to take up the opportunity when schools open, but here I am, there is nothing,” she said.
Mafulani’s situation is not an isolated case with scores of parents spotted by the Fourways Review team running from one school to the next. Officials from different schools declined to be interviewed and neither would they allow Fourways Review to take pictures of the little ones on their first day in Grade 1.
The same scenario played itself out at Msingabadzimu Primary School, a prominent school in Diepsloot. The school charges R1 050 for the month of January which includes both administration and tuition fees. From February, the monthly fees for Grade 1 to 7 is R650, which parents described as reasonable.
“I am rushing to deposit money into the school’s account so that my child can attend class tomorrow. And this is not easy for me because it’s not yet month-end and we have just come out of a festive period which is always associated with expenditure,” said Tawanda Ndlovu, who was interviewed outside Basa’s school gate.
Diepsloot councillor, Refile Mathebula, who also took a tour of the schools on opening day, said some parents were remiss in attending to their children’s educational needs. “I urge parents not to wait for the last minute to attend to their children’s educational needs. Government advertises vacancies every year in time, but parents wait until the following year,” lamented Mathebula.
Mathebula said she saw a group of parents camping outside the schools she visited, hoping to get a chance to register their children.
