The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has indicated that the unhappy mother of a Grade 1 who wanted a valid explanation as to why her son’s application was declined, applied for admission too late.
GDE spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane made it clear that, “The schools’ registration period, which was widely publicised in both commercial and community media, started on 9 April 2013 until 21 May 2013”.
The mother told the Record she applied sometime in May, which already could have been too late.
“I’m very disappointed and was let down,” she said.
“My son was placed on the B list, which is a complete shock to me as the school is 3,5km away from our house.
“I then took it upon myself to contact the school just before they closed for the December holidays to hear what’s going on, but I was told that my application was unsuccessful. I then was told that I should contact the district office as there’s nothing that the school could do to help. I then went to the district office and they also were surprised because my son was placed on the B list as we fall within the feeder area. Eventually I was told to return on 15 January 2014.”
Hoping that finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel, the mother’s world came crashing down when she was told that the application was unsuccessful.
“I was told that there’s nothing the District could do as all primary schools and high schools were full.”
The mother also claims that she received no letter or explanation as to why the application was declined.
She says that her only option at the time was schooling in Fleurhof, which is a hassle as the school is more or less 10km away from their house.
“I work in Krugersdorp and it’s completely out of my way. I won’t be able to incur extra costs for transport to and from Fleurhof.”
Seemela has many questions as to why her son’s application was declined.
“Every morning there are taxis from as far as Soweto travelling to the school, which is easily 18km away. Does this not count to be out of the feeder area?”
Following the complaint to the Record, the GDE responded as follows: “The department’s admission regulations require parents to apply for space in public schools nearest to where they live or work. Where schools are full, the department then offers alternative schools at which space is available.
“We can confirm that the school she first applied for is full and the pupil was given alternative schools. The mother agreed that her son can be placed in another nearby school, as she already has paid the school fees and bought a school uniform. We once again appeal to parents to take heed of the call for early registration and cooperate with the current process of late registration. The Department will do its best to meet its constitutional obligation of placing pupils at public schools.”
