The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi said he shared the pains and frustrations of parents who experienced difficulties in applying for placement of their children in over 2000 public schools across Gauteng.
Lesufu was giving feedback to Gauteng parents about the Online Learner Admissions process.
The online application period for grade 1 and 8 pupils officially opened on 19 April at 14.30 and it will close at midnight on 1 June. For re-enrolments and transfers between grades parent are requested to go the relevant school to apply.
“Over the past two weeks we have stood before the people of Gauteng and South Africans at large to humble ourselves and unreservedly apologise for technical glitches in our Online Learner Application Process,” said Lesufi. He said that the department has listened to the concerns of parents and have provided necessary support and assistance where required.
“We have worked tirelessly to upgrade and re-programme the online application process to address challenges raised by parents,” he said.
The Department of Education was pleased to announce that many challenges that they have been experiencing with the system have been addressed and that parents are generally satisfied with the progress the department has made with the online application process.
Since the launch of the system on the 19 April, over 370 000 applications have been processed, exceeding the expected 300 000 in a period of a week. The over 370 000 applications processed thus far represents an average of over 53 000 applications per day.
A total of 30 497 parents registered in Johannesburg Central, 26 704 in Johannesburg North and 19 095 Johannesburg West.
The MEC said that the department has noted that there are parents who still experience challenges with the system such as the system providing error message stating that parents’ details have already been loaded on the system, difficulties with address of some parents from informal settlements and challenges with ID of foreign parents.
Parents who are still experiencing these challenges can contact the call centre on 011 355 000 or the toll free number 0800 000 789. They can also visit their nearest school or district office for assistance.
The placement of learners will commence from 24 June until 25 July. During this period, schools will process learner placement online. Parents will receive an automated SMS indicating an offer of placement. Letters will also be sent to parents informing them of successful and unsuccessful applications. Parents will be given a period of seven days to accept or reject placement offers.
“We would like to convey a special word of appreciation to each and every parent who heeded our call to register their children online. Your cooperation continues to inspire us to do more to better the lives our people,” concluded Lusufi.
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