“My son is in Grade R this year and needs to start Grade 1 next year. I have applied at all schools in my area since the applications opened at almost all the private and public schools but have been turned down as they are already full,” frustrated Bassonia resident, Luisa.
Although the Grade R learners name has been placed on an admissions waiting list, the anticipation of waiting until January 2014 to find out the fate of her son’s educational future unnerves her. Having received very little hope or assistance from the Johannesburg South Education district, Luisa remains concerned. “I need to know what steps can be taken as surely my son has a right to education,” she added.
Gauteng Department of Education in a response to Luisa’s concern stated that: “The departments mandate is to accommodate every learner in public schools. Currently, school admissions are closed and the schools are dealing with feedbacks to the parents. All parents whose children are not admitted should approach the district admission coordinators at their respective district to have them placed in the nearby schools.”
The department had in May this year, called for the early admission of children to schools in the areas they reside due to the high number of children coming into the province from other provinces each year and also asked for cooperation from parents.
Gauteng Department of Education MEC Barbara Creecy explained early in the year that early registrations would enable the department to place learners in schools in their area but also help parents who may not have found space in schools closer to them and create space for other children.
“Knowing the number of learners coming to schools in 2014 enables us to prepare early for schools infrastructure, learner and teacher support material and furniture,” said Creecy in a statement.
Also revealing that in areas where there was no space, the department had over the years supplied existing schools with prefabricated classrooms and extra teachers, however, this option offers no help to Luisa. Further attempts to get a solution from the Education department proved futile, as no response was given to all communication directed to them before going to print.
“I’ve tried all the private schools but all of them were full, I’m at a point where I really don’t know what I’m going to do because it would be pointless to wait until next year,” said Luisa.
Creecy had advised parents who found themselves without a school for their children to and on a waiting list “to make sure they also apply to alternative schools to avoid disappointment.” Adding- that all successful applicants would be informed of placing in a school from a school close to them from August.
Luisa said she has received no information on the matter nor has anyone from either the Education department Johannesburg South district or any schools in her area as yet. She wonders if any provisions would be made for her son, although, it would not be guaranteed that it would be at her preferred school.
