Classroom demand for 2024 exceeds available space
The Gauteng education system is growing, this year alone it has grown by 24 000 learners. However interventions have been set up to resolve the surplus of learners in the north of Tshwane.
Schools north of Pretoria are experiencing a surplus of Grade 1 and 8 learners in 2024, however, the department says placing the learners in a school will not be a problem.
According to Gauteng Education, MEC Matome Chiloane the Gauteng education system has 24 000 new learners, while Tshwane has about eight oversubscribed schools.
The Grade 1 and 8 learners in Gauteng will be receiving placement offers throughout the year, however, the department has identified schools north of Pretoria that have received an overwhelming number of learner applications that exceed their capacity.
Chiloane was presenting the process for the 2024 online admissions in Gauteng at Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria east.
“About 292 primary schools and 277 secondary schools are regarded as high-pressure schools.”
Chiloane said the GDE had set up interventions to address admission and placement challenges for these schools ahead of the 2024 academic year.
Laerskool Akasia, with a capacity of 246, has received 1 476 applicants; Laerskool Rachel De Beer, with a 240 capacity, 1 085 applicants; and Laerskool Theresapark, with a capacity of 230, 984 applicants.
Other schools outside the north are Hamilton primary school with a capacity of 70 but 329 applicants; Laerskool Meyerspark recorded 256 applicants with a capacity of 150; and Nellmapius ext. 1 primary school received 295 applicants while it has a capacity of only 200.
Similarly, high schools face a surplus:
– Hoërskool Gerrit Maritz has a capacity of 236 but received 1 834 applications.
– Hoërskool Akasia has a capacity of 230 but received 2 041 applications.
– Hoërskool Langenhoven has a capacity of 290 but received 2617 applicants.
Chiloane said his department planned new school construction, additional mobile classrooms, converting unused facilities in high-pressure areas into schools and giving funds to schools that have demonstrated sound governance and financial capability to build additional classrooms.
He said as things stood, Gauteng needed about 24 new schools to cater for demand.
“With the migration levels, Gauteng needs more infrastructure to ensure we can deal with the rapid growth in the province.”
He said over three years, Gauteng had commissioned schools to build 1 176 classrooms and mobile classrooms.
He said 344 schools had benefitted from the self-build initiative.
“The initiative has cost the department a total of R587 366 885 to date as it costs R80 000 000 on average to build a new school.”
He said the total funded classrooms of R587 366 885 was equivalent to the cost of seven new schools built.
“The 1 176 self-built classrooms equate to approximately 39 schools of 30 classrooms each.
“As a further intervention to alleviate pressures caused by migration into the province and the resultant shortage of learning and teaching spaces, the department has devised a model of satellite schools. Vacant land within high-pressure areas is acquired, and then a nearby well-functioning school is asked to manage and build the satellite school,” said Chiloane.
He said the satellite model had proven successful and north of Tshwane, satellite schools and mobile classrooms would be set up in Akasia.
“We are also looking to expand the self-build and mobile classroom project within the area to eliminate the pressure.”
He said new schools Semphato north of Pretoria, Refitlhilepele west of Pretoria, Ribane Laka south of Pretoria and LG Holele/Kgatoentle west of Pretoria would be completed at the beginning of the 2024 academic year.
Chiloane said applicants who could not be admitted to the school of their choice due to capacity challenges would be offered a transfer to the next closest school available.
“Transfer offers are made only after confirmation that none of the schools to which a parent applied has available space. Parents and guardians who are offered a placement at schools that they have not applied to have the option to accept or decline the offer.”
He said appeals were processed and responded to within 14-21 days of receipt, however, the appeal outcome was final.
Placement offers will be sent out from September 4.
“You have seven days to accept the offer, if no decision, we will place the learner on your behalf.”
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