Gauteng reduces school waiting list, pays exam markers
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), which needed to place 40,000 learners in school on opening day, announced on Thursday that it had significantly reduced the waiting list to only 377.
“All these learners will be placed by the end of the week,” said Oupa Bodibe, GDE spokesperson.
“On the other hand, the department received 19,536 new applications in January 2017. So far, 15,657 learners have been placed in a space of two weeks leaving a balance of 3,879 unplaced learners.”
Bodibe said in total 331,625 applications were processed by the department and 327,369 learners had been placed in schools.
ALSO READ - All learners will be placed in schools: Makhura
This was the first time that Gauteng insisted that all applications for school places be done online. Bodibe said the department was satisfied with the progress made so far.
In another development the department said all exam markers would be paid.
“Following approval by the Provincial Treasury, the Gauteng Department Education has processed payment of the balance owed to exam markers. It is anticipated that the funds will be in the accounts of the markers in five working days,” said Bodibe.
“The Department once more apologise for the delay in the payment of markers. They provide essential service that enable the Department to mark exam papers in order to issue results on time.”