As at 17 January 2017, the total number of unplaced learners is 19 913 if online applications and walk-ins are combined the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said on Thursday.
The GDE said the number of unplaced learners whose parents applied online has been drastically reduced to 7 092 of which 3 930 are Grade 1 and 3 162 are from Grade 8. However, 12 821 completely new applications through walk-ins at the admission centres have been received by the Department, of which 7 820 are for Grade 1 and 5 001 for Grade 8.
To date 312 088 applications were processed online and 304 996 learners have been placed, of which 175 827 are for Grade 1 and 136 088 for Grade 8.
Oupa Bodibe, GDE’s Head of Communication says they are prioritising placement of learners that applied online and where there is adequate space, parents that have walked in will be accommodated.
“The Head of Department has not declared schools full as Districts are still finding spaces where offers of placements were not confirmed and learners have relocated to new residential areas. We reiterate our deep sense of empathy with the parents whose children are still not placed and commit to accelerate placement to at least eliminate the backlog of online applications. Unfortunately, for parents that have just walked into our operations centres, this may take a while.
The fundamental reason for the delay is the overwhelming demand for spaces where our schools are completely full. This makes it hard to accommodate the child in the first school of choice of a parent. We appeal to parents to accept the offers being given by districts.
“Another reason has been administrative delays, for example, schools not updating placement data on time and the intense process of verifying the placement information submitted by schools to our districts. Districts had to ensure that schools followed the admission regulations and turned back submitted list where discrepancies were found.
“Some schools actually attempted to resist the new system in order to maintain past practices and to that end, some ran a parallel admission process. As it is commonly known, two schools in Tshwane attempted but failed to interdict the department to maintain their current profile as mostly whites Afrikaans medium schools.
“We are pleased that after our interventions, Overkruin and Montana Hoërskool will accept the learners to study in English. The Department met the SGB of both schools and community members last night to find common ground on the admission issues.”
He says late applications have also added to the delay. The Department received more than 70 000 online applications after the deadline of the 1 June 2016 passed.
“As indicated above 12 000 more applications were received by our operations centres since the schools reopened. We are encouraged by the work of our district officials working in 62 operations centres to assist parents.
“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 to those parents.”
The Department is currently experiencing a high admission pressure in the following areas:
• Ekurhuleni South – Palm Ridge, Eden Park, Brackenhurst, Brackendowns, Alberton, Germiston and Boksburg.
• Ekurhuleni North – Edenvale, Edenglen, Birchleigh, Birch Acres, Norkem Park, Olifantsfontein, Crystal Park, Actonville, Tembisa and Benoni.
• Gauteng East – Selcourt, Selpark, Springs CBD and Tsakane.
• Gauteng North – Klipdrift and Cullinan.
• Tshwane North – Montana, Rietondale, Overkruin and Northridge.
• Tshwane South – Sunnyside.
• Tshwane West – Akasia, Theresapark, Danville, Mayville, Capital Park, Pretoria Gardens, Soshanguve, Garankuwa.
• Johannesburg East – Midrand, Halfway House and Waterfall City.
• Johannesburg North – Bryanston, Randburg, Cosmo City and Diepsloot.
• Johannesburg Central – Mondeor, Ridgeway Turffontein, Rosettenville, Freedom Park, Eldorado Park and Lenasia.
• Johannesburg South – Glenanda, Mulberton, Hillbrow/Yeoville and the Hill.
• Johannesburg West – Florida, Roodepoort, Hendrik Potgieter suburbs, Tshepisong ,Braamfischerville and Luferheng,
• Gauteng West – Randfontein and Krugersdorp
Click here to read Lesufi’s full statement.
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