Inland public schools are back in session today, but not without a few disruptions and frustrations across the country.

In parts of Gauteng, parents of learners who have not yet been placed in a school lined up at education department offices. Meanwhile, hundreds of frustrated parents in Limpopo pitched up at a primary school to demand answers about the placement of their children.

Frustrations were also noted in Mpumalanga, where the Department of Education said in a statement yesterday that it has noted with concern reports that schools are forcing parents to buy extra stationery to top up the learning and teaching support packs issued by the department.

Lines of frustration

Krugersdorp News reports that angry parents across the West Rand gathered outside the Gauteng West District office in Rand West City for hours yesterday, demanding placement for their children.

Parent Gloria Molapo expressed her disappointment in the online application system.

“I applied online and on time and I’m not impressed. My child is not placed where we initially applied. She has been placed in a school that is far from where we stay. So, we are standing here for hours and this is the second day. My child is sitting at home and she is supposed to be in her Gr 8 class tomorrow,” said Molapo.

The Gauteng Department of Education issued a statement saying they are tackling the issue of unplaced learners.

“The department is continuing to place Gr 1 and 8 learners who [applied] during the 2023 online admissions application period. Currently, there are applicants that remain unplaced, while some applicants who previously had incomplete applications continue to be placed.”

The department is working to finalise 4 801 appeals from parents who are unhappy with the schools their children have been placed in.

In Springs, parents also voiced their frustrations at the local education offices. Most complaints were about schools allegedly turning away children.

“As you can see, my granddaughter was rejected simply because her home language is not Afrikaans. We were told nobody will be available to translate for her. What do they expect us to do?” Sibongile Senoanadi asked as she held up a rejection letter.

Meanwhile, in Limpopo, parents say the issue of learners not being placed is the result of a ‘lack of proper communication channels from officials of the department’ who are meant to assist them.

Limpopo Department of Education head of communications Matome Moremi-Taueatsoala told the Polokwane Review that parents misunderstood the circular provided about what’s expected of them.

“We stated clearly when 2023 application processes started last year that parents should apply on time. Again, in our latest circular, we communicated that we would be relooking at appeals, placing learners at qualifying schools, and only taking Gr R, 1 and 8 learners,” he explained.

Smooth sailing in Mpumalanga

Lowvelder reports that the Mpumalanga Department of Education has put processes in place to ensure ‘the smooth reopening of schools for 2023’. Spokesperson Jasper Zwane said yesterday that the admission of the majority of learners has progressed well, but some learners are still to be placed – mainly in the fast-growing towns within the province.

“The eMalahleni area is still making efforts to admit 347 Gr 1 learners and 379 Gr 8 learners. Mbombela has 104 Gr 1s and 280 Gr 8s who need to be admitted. Steve Tshwete has 50 Gr 1s and 14 Gr 8s who still have to be placed. Victor Khanye has 52 Gr 1s and 28 Gr 8s who still need to be placed, while Secunda has 681 Gr 1s and about 1 414 Gr 8s who are still to be placed in surrounding schools.”

The department is also concerned about schools ‘forcing’ parents to buy additional stationery.

“[Departmentally issued learning and teaching support packs] are ample to cater for all subjects offered in our no-fee schools in the province. This is done so that there will be no need to augment it. To this end, all no-fee school principals are advised to utilise the departmentally allocated stationery.”

Zwane said there must be no instance in which undue pressure, financial or otherwise, is put on parents and learners to buy extra stationery.

“The schools are henceforth advised not to punish or disadvantage parents and learners in this regard, but to co-operate with the contents of this circular. The principals must make it their obligation to ensure that the stationery is given to all learners.”