The department announced recently that they have put a certain system in place to ensure that teaching and learning in schools across the province began on the first day of the school.
With an expected 2% learner growth in the province, spokesman for the Gauteng Department of Education Phumla Sekhonyane claims the department will do everything possible to register these learners during the learner admission period.”
She says there are still parents and learners who arrived at the schools last Wednesday looking for placement.
This comes after some parents didn’t register their children at schools before the cut off period which was on May 27 last year.
Sekhonyane says parents must apply for admission of their children at the district office in the Telkom Building at The Avenues Shopping Centre and not at the schools.
She says late applicants can’t be prioritised over those who met deadlines during last year’s application process.
“They can’t demand to be placed in their preferred schools and request transfer cards for their children if they’re relocating.”
The following procedures will be followed:
* Applicants will be given a reference number and will receive responses offering them admission for 2015 by the districts and respective schools.
* The district office will then contact the applicants as soon as possible.
* If parents don’t receive any feedback, they should contact the district office again.
* Admission will be prioritised chronologically and offers will be made for schools where space is available.
Sekhonyane says catch up plans will be devised to assist learners who missed lessons due to late registrations.
However, the department remains committed to complying with its constitutional obligation to place all those who need space in public schools.
“This means we will assist parent with late applications although applying late reduces the chances of parents getting the school of their first choice where they meet the criteria.”
The Addie contacted a few schools in Springs and surrounding areas and, although some schools claim they are full, others say there is always place for one or two more.