Queues formed outside Khayelitsha schools on Tuesday, the day before the school term began, as parents attempted to register their children before the schools officially opened, with some being turned away due to a lack of space.
According to IOL, parents from Khayelitsha camped out in front of the gates or gathered in the school halls while they awaited a response regarding availability.
Also read: WCED’s “haphazard placement strategy” has parents scrambling for schools
On Tuesday, the day before Cape Town schools officially opened, staff prepared for the return of their students.
During this time, some parents waited outside, desperately trying to find their children placements at full or already oversubscribed schools.
Parents from Khayelitsha camped out in front of the gates or gathered in the school halls while waiting to hear if there was room for their children.
Despite having to register online, the main problem that needed to be resolved at different schools was last-minute registration.
This comes after the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) put the number of unplaced Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners at 680 as of 20 December, warning parents that schools were full.
“The education system is under immense pressure… we are going to struggle to place learners whose parents only apply this month,” said spokesperson Millicent Merton.
The WCED has urged parents to get in touch with their district office of education right away to make arrangements for placements.
“They must not queue up outside schools with the expectation of being accepted to their school of choice.”
“Our schools are full, and while they may be able to assist with completing applications, the district office will assist with placement centrally,” Education MEC David Maynier said.
Read more on IOL.
Also read:
WCED announces that all schools are now full for the 2023 school year
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