Over 30 000 learners in grades one and eight still require school placement ahead of the 2018 academic year, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has revealed.
The pupils in these two grades make up the group of learners whose parents were required to apply via GDE's online registration system for their preferred school.
"To date, about 17 000 learners whose parents applied on time have not yet been placed. Unfortunately, they have applied in high pressure areas where there is a shortage of space. It should also be noted that many of these parents declined alternative offers of placement.
"In addition, 22 921 late applications were received towards the end of the year. To date, 8 865 learners from this group have been placed, leaving a balance of 14 056," explained Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.
In a statement, the GDE assured parents their children will be placed before the schools open. "We wish to assure parents that all children will be placed in a school before the schools open on Wednesday, 17 January 2018."
According to the department, no effort will be spared to assist and place the unplaced learners and attend to all parents applying for the first time.
Parents have also been urged to accept offers of placement from schools with available space.
"Many of the schools in Gauteng are full and cannot accept any more learners. It is expected that some parents will apply for the first time as schools reopen. Such applicants will be placed where there is space," adds Lesufi.
The department has advised parents that still have admissions challenges to visit any of the admission centres on 13 and 14 January. The centres will operate from 8am to 5pm.
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