School places are going fast

The Gauteng Department of Education says 108 661 grade one and 84 442 grade eight learners have already been placed at schools for the 2018 academic year through the online registration process.

Yesterday Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, above, said: “To date, the Gauteng Department of Education has processed close to 67% or 193 103 of 285 834 applications for placement.”

He added that 19 858 applicants had not yet confirmed they would take the places offered, but if they had the number of placements would be 212 961, or 74%.

“The lack of response from parents is delaying the placement process.

“Once again, parents are urged to accept offers of placement from schools with available space.

“Parents who do not confirm offers of placement will lose the space as the offer will be extended to the next available prospective pupil.”

The department said 72 873 applicants were currently being placed and that the department would conclude the process on October 20.

“A number of our schools are over-subscribed and cannot accept any more pupils.

“We plead with parents to accept alternative offers of placement.

“Parents who have not yet submitted certified copies of the required documents should do so from September 27 to 29, when schools will be updating the status of documents on the admissions online application.”

All applicants who have not yet applied for admission in 2018 would have another opportunity when the admissions online application reopens from October 23 to November 10. – ANA