Last-minute scramble to find school places for 570 pupils

AN ESTIMATED 570 children are yet to be placed in schools in the province.

Western Cape Education Department spokesman Paddy Attwell said yesterday that the figure changed constantly as pupils arrived and officials found places for them.

Nomzamo, in the Strand, had the largest number looking for places, with officials assessing about 300 applications.

”New schools and the classroom expansion programme have helped reduce the pressure on schools in certain areas. The department will consider installing more mobile classrooms as required.”

Attwell said officials were investigating every case.

“They are advising parents and (pupils) about their best options if they want to change schools or if (pupils) are underor over-age, and the documents they need for registration.”

Attwell said the main reason for late registration appeared to be relocation.

In some cases parents wanted to send children to a different school because they owed fees at the previous one.

Some pupils found it difficult getting into schools if they were over the age limit for the grade or were no longer of compulsory school-going age, Attwell said.

The Cape Argus reported yesterday that in Grabouw many pupils were being taught in overcrowded classrooms at Umyezo Wama Apile Combined School following a surge of late enrolments.

The department said senior officials were meeting today to discuss how to help the school.