POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Education Department says it is working around the clock to ease the backlog of learners who are yet to be placed in schools.

The 2025 academic year began on January 15 and the province has just over 1 600 learners that are yet to be placed in the four hot spot circuits: Pietersburg, Mokopane, Tzaneen and Lephalale.

Education department spokesperson Mike Maringa says majority of the applicants were not admitted last year because their applications did not meet the set criteria, but they were afforded a chance to appeal.

“The department is currently processing appeals and late applications received early this year when schools re-opened. All qualifying unplaced learners will be allocated space on or before January 29 when the headcount exercise and other logistics are finalised,” he says.

The Pietersburg Circuit in Polokwane has the highest number of unplaced learners for Grades R,1 and 8 with the department confirming a total of 33 661 learners placed across all grades in the circuit.

“The remaining 816 learners will be processed and placed accordingly,” Maringa adds.

He also urges parents and guardians to be patient and allow the department to finalise the admission process.

“The department wishes to assure parents that all qualifying learners will be admitted within the circuits where they reside and transport will be provided for those who will be allocated spaces outside the 5km radius. The department has also noted that some parents are still submitting falsified documents and fraudulent addresses to secure space for their children who are not from the feeder zones. The department has warned parents and caregivers to desist from falsifying documents as this is a criminal act, fraudulent and can result in cases being opened with the police. Parents are cautioned not to embark on a forceful admissions of their children,” he says.