All learners must be registered for 2025 academic year, says Mpumalanga MEC for education
The MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, said if a parent is not satisfied with the feedback they received from the school at which they registered their child, they should contact the nearest circuit office.
As the registrations for the 2025 academic year are under way, the MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, has requested parents and guardians to register their children at local schools.
According to the Mpumalanga Department of Education (DoE), this must be done before August 30. The DoE designated Wednesday May 1 to August 30, 2024 as the period set aside for the registration of learners.
This publication has in the past reported about incidents in which parents had to gather in front of various places of learning, and in some cases, resort to protesting in an attempt to gain admission for their children in January that following academic year.
Dlamini has urged all parents and guardians to register their children who are of schoolgoing age to schools within their residential areas.
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“As schools are up and running and getting ready for the new academic year, issues of overcrowding and irate parents are rearing their ugly heads again,” she said.
According to the DoE, to register a child, applicants must request an application form from a school, fill it in, and attach copies of their children’s birth certificate, a Road to Health card, study permits, IDs or passports, proofs of residence and parents’ ID copies.
“In the event that a parent, guardian or caregiver is unable to provide the required documentation, the principal of the school must accept alternative proof, such as an affidavit or a sworn statement signed by the parent, caregiver or guardian, wherein the learner’s details are indicated. No learner may be refused admission on the basis that his/her parents are unable to pay school fees or do not subscribe to the religious policy of the school,” she said.
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Dlamini said in the event that a parent is not satisfied with the feedback from the school, they must not hesitate to contact the nearest circuit office.
“By registering their children, parents will assist the department to plan ahead for the supply of learner and teacher support material and the transfer of paper budgets to schools. I hereby call on all parents and guardians with children of schoolgoing age to proceed to the nearby schools to register their children for the 2025 academic year,” she said.
Dlamini concluded by saying that school principals and circuit managers are requested to put systems in place to ensure a peaceful and orderly registration process, and to assist parents who may experience some difficulties with the registration of their children.
