Late applications add to strain on school budgets

HUNDREDS of pupils who did not apply to get into school on time but have been accepted late will place severe strain on the Department of Education.

This was revealed yesterday by Education MEC Mandla Makupula when he briefed the Bhisho legislature on the state of readiness for the new academic year.

He said the latecomers would benefit from textbooks, scholar transport and the nutrition programme despite not being budgeted for.

As the academic year officially commences this morning, many parents will be queuing at various schools looking for places for their children.

Public schools are allocated budget, textbooks and teachers according to the number of pupils registered at that particular school.

Additional numbers will mean latecomers will have to be accommodated in the already determined budget.

Makupula said an amount of R1 177 – as set by the norms and standards for school funding – was allocated for each pupil in a public school.

“Many of our education districts have this challenge of parents applying late.

“As a result, this challenge of children in schools where they have not been budgeted for will be experienced by most districts,” he said.

His briefing was also to prepare members of the legislature, who start their two-week oversight visit to schools across all education districts.

It will be the first time all MPLs are deployed for school visits. Previously those serving in the education portfolio committee undertook the visits.

Legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet said yesterday this move was to show that everyone needed to have their hands on deck on issues of education.

“Education is a societal matter and not the responsibility of the department or the committee alone,” she said.