Pietersburg circuit: Many learners still not placed in schools
Most parents and guardians in the queue are, however, dissatisfied that their children did not get placement in their schools of choice.
POLOKWANE – Parents and guardians whose children await placement in Pietersburg circuit schools have been queuing since last Wednesday at Education’s offices based in the city, in the hope of a positive outcome.
They blame the department for still not having placed their children in preferred schools, despite applying on time during the course of last year.
At the start of the 2024 academic year, the department announced that it would ensure that all learners are placed, despite the fact that some schools reach full capacity rather quickly based on application numbers.
Some schools of interest for parents include Taxila Combined School, Capricorn High School, Pietersburg English Medium Primary School and Noordskool, spokesperson, Mike Maringa confirmed.
“Learners will be placed at the public schools nearest to their homes or where there is still space available,” he added.
A comprehensive report of how many children have been placed altogether and applicants’ appeal status, will be announced tomorrow (Friday), Maringa told Polokwane Observer.
“We don’t have definitive numbers because when we give parents information of schools where their children are placed and they happen not to like the school for reasons known to them, they simply don’t take their children there,” he explained.
By last Wednesday at the start of the academic year, 68% of Gr 1, Gr R and Gr 8 learners who applied in time in this circuit had been admitted to local schools, while 29% or a total of 2 879 had their applications declined and were being considered for appeal.
The department also said it hoped to conclude with all placement matters by tomorrow, despite queues still being very long yesterday (Wednesday) at the Capricorn District Office.
Most parents and guardians in the queue are, however, dissatisfied that their children did not get placement in their schools of choice.
They feel ‘paying schools’ have better facilities, with one parent suggesting that their children “squeeze into classes at those schools until more space can be made”.
The department has acknowledged that the city has few schools to accommodate all learners in the immediate area and for a considerable number of years the question has been asked of when the construction of more schools will be prioritised.
Maringa confirmed that schools are envisioned in the area of Serala View, Greenside and Bendor.
Land assessment concluded last year and construction will follow in due course, he confirmed.
