Gauteng is ready for the 2017 academic year, according to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).
“The education environment in the Province is intact. The department has pro-actively monitored public schools on a quarterly basis to ensure that all schools are ready for the 2017 academic year. Before we get into details about our readiness for 2017, I would like to put this within the context of the state of education in the province,” said Oupa Bodibe, GDE Head of Communication.
According to Bodibe, as of Wednesday, 7 December, there are 2 368 264 learners enrolled in Gauteng schools. An increase of 105 945 learners was recorded between the total enrolments for 2015 and 2016, This equates to a 4,47 per cent increase. Rapid in-migration remains a contributing factor to the growth in learner numbers. The highest numbers of learners come from Limpopo followed by Eastern Cape.
The GDE opted for the online application process for Grades 1 and 8 for ease of planning, and to eliminate parents having to queue at the schools in their search for places to enrol their children.
Bodibe said, “Despite the initial teething problems, the objectives set for the system have largely been met. The Department is grateful for the cooperation it has received from parents that heeded the call to use the online system. It goes without saying that some parents faced frustration during the application and placement period. For example, many parents complained that they did not receive updates on the state of application. For this, we apologise unconditionally. That said, a number of erroneous reports seeking to attribute problems experienced during placement solely on the online system have been noted.”
He said the delays in placement can be attributed to:
• Limited number of schools in suburban areas relative to the demand for spaces in Grade 1 and 8.
• Parents taking time to confirm offers of placement, thus creating a backlog on the system.
• Parents preferring certain schools even when those schools had reached capacity. This has generated an unprecedented number of appeals, which the Department is still processing.
State of admissions and placement for Grade 1 and 8
Bodibe says in total, 310 404 applications were received through the online application platform. Of these, 176 348 are for Grade 1 placements, and 136 056 are for Grade 8. The number of early applications received by 1 June 2016 totalled 233 408 – 130 911 for Grade 1 and 102 497 for Grade 8.
A total of 78 996 applications were received after 1 June 2016. Of these, 45 437 were for Grade 1 placements, and 33 559 for Grade 8.
• As of 5 December 2016, 229 125 learners (both early and late applications) have been placed in our schools. Of these 131 304 are for Grade 1 and 97 821 are for Grade 8.
• 82 279 learners have not yet been placed. The Department will work around the clock to place all these learners and inform the parents.
He said further that 8 846 parents have not yet submitted the requisite documents to the schools at which they have applied. In addition, 10 403 parents have not yet confirmed offers of placement.
“Parents who have applied and have not yet received offers of placement are urged to visit the admissions website on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za or to visit District Offices to enquire about the status of their applications. Parents who have not yet applied for the admission of their Grade 1 and/ or Grade 8 children are advised that applications for Admissions 2017 are closed.”
Future of online application system
The Department plans to continue with online applications in 2017 for applications for Grades 1 and 8 with respect to the 2018 academic year.
“Important lessons were learned during the 2016 experience and the system will be refined to incorporate them,” Bodibe said.
“In conclusion – the Department is looking forward to improved performance in the National Senior Certificate results. We thank everyone involved in administering the matric exams as they ensured an incident-free examination period in Gauteng. We wish all our learners the best of luck. We urge parents to support their children whether they do well or not in the matric exams. Do not hesitate to call the following numbers if you or your child are in distress or suspect that someone is facing possible distress:• Lifeline (distress, trauma, rape counselling) – toll free number 086 132 2322• South African Depression and Anxiety Group – toll free number 0800 567 567• Helpline- 011 262 6396 or SMS line – 31393.
As schools closed on Wednesday, 7 December, we wish all a restful, joyous and peaceful holiday period,” said Bodibe.
Read the GDE’s full report and more about the feeder zone policy, provision of school furniture, school infrastructure, post provisioning, and acquisition and distribution of learning and teaching support material (LTSM) here.
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