Many parts of inland schools were still battling with placement and scrambling to put learners in classes on the first day of the start of the 2023 academic year.
Parents and scores of learners were left frustrated and in the cold while others were excited and relieved that their children were placed in classes.
Minister Motshekga went around monitoring some of the schools in Cosmo City and in Diepsloot today and confirmed to Newsnote that overcrowding was a big issue but defended the much-maligned Gauteng’s online registration system for primary and high school amid criticism from some parents.
“Overcrowding it’s a serious problem, very serious, schools are carrying double the capacity and that is going to impact negatively on learning and teaching, on the infrastructure on aspects from safety and unfortunately is a national problem from Limpopo to Lusikisiki,” she said
Motshekga said the overcrowding has led to the government approving a program that is going to mitigate this issue which will be rolled out from the next financial year as a special intervention to work with provinces dealing with overcrowding in schools.
The Minister could only confirm that 800 000 learners have been registered in Gauteng but she couldn’t give the national figure.
“We can get to the figures later. I really would not have statistics of province by province, so what we will do today, we will collect all the figures because what will be happening…give us 10 days we will come back to you.”
The Minister was also not able to give guarantees as to when all pupils who applied will all be placed.
“In 10 days time we will have statistics on how many learners have registered and at that point will be able to tell you how many learners were not able to be placed”.
To the parents who’s learners have not been registered she said: “We are doing everything in our power. What we can’t do is that kids must come and sit on top of each other. What we will do in the next 10 days is to mop-up and see where we still have spaces.
“I know it’s very frustrating for parents. I would also be frustrated if I don’t know where my child is going to go but by law basic education is legally compulsory.”
Meanwhile, there were mixed feelings for parents in Cosmo City and Diepsloot. Others were excited to see their children’s first day at school, while there were those who were left frustrated because their children could not get places in the schools.
Most of the parents whose children didn’t get space described the placement system as dysfunctional.
Zoe Khumalo who wanted a placement in Cosmo City Secondary School said she was sent from pillar to post without any success.
“My son is supposed to go to Grade 11 but has got no space even though we applied last year, even came to the school but we were told to return today. But now they say we should go to another school to try to get placement,” she said
Her comments were echoed by another unhappy parent who didn’t want to be named for fear of victimisation if her child gets admitted at the school.
“I applied for my child to be in Grade 1 last year but I never got placement notification. Now they say I must leave her behind, how can I do that not knowing if she will be allowed inside a class?’’ she asked.
However, there was also a good story to tell from a jubilant parent who also refused to give us her name.
“I’m glad it all went well, actually I’m excited he couldn’t wait to come to school for his first day. For me there are no complaints,” the mother said.
