WATCH: Hoërskool Overvaal accused of racism

The school has lodged an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria, asking it to overturn a decision by the Gauteng Department of Education instructing the school to accept 55 additional pupils. 

The department has a blacklog of 34 000 learners who still need to be placed in Gauteng schools before the beginning of the 2018 academic year.

Schools open on January 17. 

The school has has 621 learners and claims it has no more space. The department is disputing this, stating that the school has 21 classrooms and can thus take up to 840 learners. 

A parent, who is also the chairperson of the Overvaal transformation group, believes it is in issue of racism.. 

Tlhoriso Mofokeng says they have been fighting with the school since 1992. 

"From our observations, this is nothing but a racial issue. There is high racism taking place in the area. We believe they doing this to deny our children to access that school.”

Judge William Prinsloo postponed the matter to Thursday, as the applicant only filed its replying affidavit last night. 

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The Gauteng Department of Education's spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says they are willing to spend more money to ensure these learners are accepted at this school. 

"The department is willing to go an extra mile and ensure learners are comfortable in the area of learning at the school. If there is a need for more than one English eductor and more studying material, we will go back and asses and be in a position to support the school.”