Learners denied education as Gauteng Education fails to place them in schools before the start of the academic year

10 January 2023

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is concerned that the Gauteng Department of Education has failed to place all learners who applied on time before the new academic year starts tomorrow, Wednesday, 11 January. This means thousands of learners will not attend school on day one of the 2023 academic year.

The online system seems to be easily manipulated as learners who have siblings or reside next to schools were not placed or allocated space far from their siblings or place of residence.

MEC Matome Chiloane must account for failing to place all learners who applied on time but were still not placed. Parents informed the DA that the appeals process was flawed and failed to consider reasons, only offering a general standardised response. This is a confirmation of the flaws in the current online system.

The DA urged the department to use online applications to ensure proper planning and allocate resources to high-demand schools. Unfortunately, the department has failed dismally.

Late applications will compound this problem. The lack of consequences against responsible officials is the main reason learners will be frustrated and sit at home without commencing their learning for the year.

The DA proposes that the MEC prioritises resolving placement issues for the learners who applied on time. Thousands of parents and guardians who applied on time are still waiting for SMSs to confirm the placement of their children.

No learner should be denied access to education because the department failed to allocate a school for them. Furthermore, the long wait and uncertainty frustrate parents who still need to buy stationery and uniforms and make transport arrangements for their children.

The DA will continue to monitor developments regarding interventions to place all learners. We will further visit schools to confirm whether MEC Chiloane kept his promise to deliver mobile classrooms to high enrolment demand schools to avoid classroom overcrowding.

Issued by Khume Ramulifho, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, 10 January 2023