POLOKWANE – It is once again the time of year when parents have to apply for their children’s admissions to schools for next year.
Last year, late applications saw learners lose out on the chance to be accepted to their schools of choice, even though they met the criteria.
In many cases, late applicants’ children were placed at schools where there was space available, which were not necessarily close to where their parents worked or lived.
In order to ensure their children’s places were guaranteed, some parents spent Thursday night waiting outside the schools of their choice to be first in line to submit their children’s applications.
Joyce Maubella was one of these parents.
She said she had spent two nights Pietersburg English Medium Primary School (Pemps) to ensure that her daughter would be accepted for next year.
Applications for registration at any public school in the province can be made between August 1 and October 31.
A gr. R applicant must be four years old, turning five years old or older by June 30 of the year they are applying for.
Gr. 1 applicants must be five years old and turn six years old or older by June 30 of the year they are applying for.
According to Linda Kruger, from one of the pre-primary schools in the city, parents should make provision for a plan B and C to avoid being disappointed.
In many cases, such as that of Piet Hugo Primary School, there was only space left for a few gr. R learners, after early applications filled most of the places.
Schools such as Pietersburg Hoërskool took the opportunity to give out entry forms during their open days in order to ensure a head start for prospective gr. 8 learners.
Some private schools in the city already have long waiting lists.
