Big provinces still lagging behind with school placements - Motshekga
The Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces are still lagging behind when it comes to school placements for the 2022 academic year, according to the Department of Basic Education.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga briefed the media in Tshwane on Tuesday ahead of the start of the new academic year.
“We have to say upfront that we have been able to place the majority of our learners but provinces like Gauteng, partly Western Cape and some areas in KwaZulu-Natal in urban areas like Durban we are still dealing with some problems.
“But provinces have assured us that they are doing everything in their power and that is why we are appealing to parents to allow provinces this week to clear off and be admitted and those that have places. We are committed by law that we are compelled to find spaces for every child, it is not the parent’s burden alone but it is our responsibility as well.”
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While the majority of pupils have been placed, it has been estimated that approximately 400 000 learners are still without a desk in a classroom.
“We have about 13 million learners across the country and currently based on the big provinces that still need to be placed, there are under 400 000 learners which is under the figure that the Minister indicated,” added the department’s deputy director-general Simoné Geyer.
Nevertheless, Motshekga believes it's all systems go for the opening of schools on Wednesday.
Inland schools will open the doors of learning tomorrow, while coastal schools will only be opening next week.
