Gauteng schools full

Parents urged to accept alternatives

Parents in Gauteng might have to accept alternative offers of placement for next year because some schools are already full.

The provincial education department has set up an online application system for parents who missed the June deadline, and it closes today, and the department is pleading for parents to accept alternative offers.

Spokesman Steve Mabona said there is huge demand for space at Gauteng schools.

“Schools are receiving high volumes of applications and we have a problem of parents not accepting offers on time,” said Mabona. “However, we remain committed to complying with our constitutional obligation to place all pupils who need space in public schools within Gauteng.

“This means all pupils will be placed at a school where there is space available and this might not be the parents’ choice.”

There are still about 63 456 pupils who need to be placed for next year.

“There was a total of 285 834 pupils who needed placement in our schools for 2018.

“To date, a total of 222 378 applicants have been placed,” Mabona said.

Mabona added that no new applications will be processed in January. The placement of late applications will begin on Monday.

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the department has plans to ensure that all applicants who applied on time are placed.

“Parents who have already applied and are awaiting placement must not reapply. These parents must approach district offices for assistance,” Lesufi, adding that some schools are full and cannot accept more pupils.