Thousands of learners in Mpumalanga still to be placed for 2025
The MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, assured the public that the department is addressing the issues faced with placing all the learners in schools.
As of Monday, January 6, 7 924 Grades Rs, Ones and Eights still have to be placed throughout Mpumalanga.
The number of those per district are Bohlabela with 1 972 learners, Ehlanzeni with 743, Gert Sibande with 1 862 and Nkangala with 3 347. So said the MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, during the launch of the Department of Education’s 2025 Back to School Programme at Phatfwa Secondary School in Mbonisweni Village on January 6.
The process of learners’ admission for the 2025 school year commenced in May last year and closed on August 31.
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Dlamini said the department is working together with schools to address critical challenges with a view that every child of school-going age needs will be provided for so that learning and teaching will commence in earnest from next Wednesday, January 15.
Furthermore, some parents in some cases refuse placement in schools that have available space. Other parents do not apply on time for admission. All these factors place tremendous pressure on the department, particularly in urban areas where schools are oversubscribed.
She said priority is given to place learners in Grades One and Eight. “We have noted that a high demand for English-medium classes in the fast-growing towns caused an increase in the migration rate from rural to urban areas due to job opportunities. There is also an increase of applications from parents who are unable to afford fees in independent schools, and therefore seek admission to ordinary public schools, particularly in former model C schools,” Dlamini explained.
“Furthermore, some parents in some cases refuse placement in schools that have available space. Other parents do not apply on time for admission. All these factors place tremendous pressure on the department, particularly in urban areas where schools are oversubscribed. In this regard, we request parents to work collaboratively with schools and the department to ensure that the learners’ best interests are always upheld.”
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Dlamini said they are making a call to parents to consider registering their children in schools within their residential or feeder areas. “This is because the curriculum offerings in all our schools is the same and of high quality. This will further mitigate several challenges, including those related to transportation and attendance of school activities.”
The department said it had procured and delivered stationery for the 2025 learners in all schools by December 2024, as well as textbooks for all Grade 12 learners.
Dlamini also discussed the issue of schools damaged by the heavy storms last year. According to her, their records indicate that at least 83 schools were affected. “A process to repair these schools has commenced, and we wish to request school governing bodies and communities to bear with us in instances where projects have yet to commence. We must work together to ensure that the learning and teaching environment is favourable.”
She said the DoE would deliver mobile classrooms to address this issue in the meantime, and that the department is aware several schools need furniture. The MEC said every effort is being made to accelerate the procurement and distribution of school furniture. She said they expect deliveries to commence from January 10.
Meanwhile, the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, will announce the results of the National Senior Certificate Examination on Monday, January 13. Subsequently, the province will make an announcement of these results from the Steve Tshwete Banquet Hall on Tuesday, January 14.
