Placement of Grade 1 and 8 learners still not resolved

The civil rights organisation AfriForum has learned that a big part of learners in Gauteng who to date still did not have a place in schools, have indeed been placed.

Unfortunately, there are still 3 366 who are waiting hopefully for the opportunity to go to school sometime this year.

“We are very grateful for the large number of learners who were indeed placed after the online registration system and process again caused a lot of concern with parents and schools in 2017,” says Carien Bloem, AfriForum’s Project Coordinator for Education.

“Unfortunately, one learner who cannot go to school, is one learner too many,” Bloem adds.

“This repeated problem will have to be addressed. If city councils and provinces can plan for demographic growth, why can’t the Department of Education do the same?” asks Bloem.

The 2018 school year started amidst a storm after repeated incidents at the Hoërskool Overvaal caused unnecessary polarisation and tension due to parents who were desperately looking for placement in schools for their children, while the Department of Education knows very well that only the building of additional schools can bring relief.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education, 176 702 learners were placed in Grade 1 and 141 842 learners were placed in Grade 8.