COSATU Gauteng statement on the slow process of student placement in the province
10 January 2019
COSATU in Gauteng is worried by the slow placement of learners in Gauteng. The federation appreciates progress made in improving education in the province. We are also aware that many learners and parents wishes to attend school in Gauteng because of the success the province has achieved in education over the years.
Much as the federation appreciates various factors that contribute to hundreds of learners not placed every year around this time, which includes but not limited to relocation of parents, growing immigration to Gauteng and reluctance by other school to accept learners, it cannot be correct that this phenomenon happens every year. What is troubling is that the most negatively affected by this sluggish process are the working class children.
The late placement of learners points to poor planning and cooperation by the Gauteng Department of Education and parents. This is going to leave many students still wandering around at a time when other learners are already studying.
COSATU calls all stakeholders, which includes parents, school governing bodies, teacher unions and government to sit around the table and develop a plan to deal with this matter. The federation will also engage the Gauteng Department of Education to decipher problems on learner placement and any other factor that might pose threats to schooling.