The Gauteng Department of Education has postponed the opening of the Online Admissions Applications from 13 May to 20 May.
This follows concerns raised in the past few days by the Federation of Associations of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS), the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysunie (SAOU), and various other governing body associations. The request was to delay the opening of Grade 1 and Grade 8 school admissions for the 2020 academic year.
These stakeholders pleaded with the Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) Panyaza Lesufi, to delay the opening of the Online Admissions Application because the Department is implementing the newly amended Admissions Regulations and Feeder Zones for the first time. They believe that it is necessary to create greater awareness of the changes in legislation and admissions processes for the public’s benefit. The MEC acceded to the request, with the result that the Admissions Application Period will now commence on Monday 20 May at 8am and close on 22 July at 11pm.
Despite the Department having constant consultative platforms involving all the stakeholders regarding the amendments to the Admissions Regulations and the Feeder Zones Regulations, it has been noted that all stakeholders accept the application of feeder zones but there are concerns that parents need a better understanding of how the new admissions platform works in terms of both feeder zones and regulations.
A video has been posted on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wadOg1gnlTo informing the public how the system functions and acquainting parents with the 2020 Admissions Processes. This will provide parents with a better understanding of the three-phase admissions process, i.e. the registration and application, followed by the placement of learners and finally, the admission of a learner to a school.
Furthermore, the Department will use various communication platforms such as the media and direct engagements through localised community contact sessions to consolidate public understanding of all processes pertaining to admissions for 2020.
Parents are reminded that schools and identified Community Centres will serve as walk-in centres for online applications for admission to Grades 1 and 8 for the 2020 academic year.
“We sincerely apologise to the public for the inconvenience caused by the postponement,” said Lesufi.
