GDE extends school placement period

Others were upset because although they had applied early, their children had still not been placed in schools.

November 7, 2019

Siphokazi Zama 1 minute read

Xolelwa Ralayo: “My child was placed in a school I didn't apply for and I want to move schools because they don't have IsiXhosa as a language option.”

The Gauteng Department of Education on Sunday announced the school placement period had been extended to November 30.

This comes after widespread chaos over the weekend as hundreds of parents gathered at district offices around Gauteng to query the placement of their children.

In Springs, it was quiet over the weekend, but by Monday morning, parents had lined up outside the district offices.

Nozibele Lecheko: “I’m here to check which school he was accepted to. I also want to transfer my younger child to another school.”

Many who were there expressed frustration with the online admission process and said they would prefer it if the department went back to the old system.

Others were upset because although they had applied early, their children had still not been placed in schools.

“They (GDE) told us to apply early so our children could get into their preferred schools, but that hasn’t happened.

“I know people who applied long after me whose children have been placed in school,” says an irate mother.

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In a statement explaining the placement process, GDE says the placement period started on September 23 and will be ongoing until all learners are placed.

“During this period, the department remains committed to placing the 282 787 who submitted documents.

“To date, 234 290 applicants are placed, while 43 797 are unplaced.

“It is concerning that, about 4 700 applicants have not yet accepted offers of placement.

“Parents are urged to accept offers of placement as these spaces will not be available after a seven-day period,” says the GDE.

Thandi Simelane: “My son was not accepted anywhere, so I’m here to look for a school for him, and one that is closer to home.”

To date, 411 schools have reached capacity.

The GDE says applicants who have not received any placement to date are advised to log on to the system to view placement status and /or contact the nearest district office.