Gauteng parents frustrated at late registration process
Emotions were running high at the department of education’s Soweto district offices on Wednesday as parents waited in line for the late school registration.
Wednesday marked day one for the 2020 school year.
Parent to grade 8 pupil Sylvia Malatsi has been standing in line since 8am on Wednesday morning.
Malatsi says the online system needs to be done away with.
READ: Basic Education: ‘We are ready for first day of school’
"I had already registered last year but then I moved so I need another reference number because the school where she was allocated to will be far for her via transport,” she says.
"I have been since 8 o'clock I think and nobody has said anything maybe it’s the system. I just wish that the system would change.
Malatsi says he daughter is stting home frustrated about the situation.
"Look now my child is frustrated where she's at. It's her first day at school today she feels like she's doing nothing. This is supposed to be the happiest day of her life.”
Mother to a Grade 1 learner Akhona Ndimbha says she's infuriated at the lack of communication from the department.
"We have been since as early as 7 and we have been standing in the queue, but there has not been proper communication or anything."
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi assured parents that every child will be placed in a school in the next 10 days.
Speaking at the opening of Noordgesig Primary School, Lesufi said about 13 000 parents inquired about late registration an hour after the application opened.
"We've got huge numbers today alone. The premier has given us a 10-day deadline and we'll adhere to that deadline and ensure that everyone is settled.
"We will never get tired to apologise for the confusion, the pain and frustration that parents are going through. We have indicated to our district offices there must no parent that is turned down.
"Everyone that is on the queue must be assisted up to the last hour."