With the start of the new school year, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that the process of placing learners at schools is still ongoing, due to late applications being submitted.
According to Bronagh Hammond, a spokesperson for the department, late learner applications have a great impact on the placement progress of learners. She says since the beginning of November last year up until last week the WCED has received 10 666 late applications.
By last Wednesday (7 January) 180 960 learners starting in Grades R, 1 and 8 were successfully placed, while 7 540 learners still needed placement.
“Despite extensive public communication and advocacy encouraging parents to apply on time, thousands of applications are still being submitted well after the official deadlines,” said Hammond.
Late applications disrupt planning
“Late applications create considerable challenges for the WCED. They disrupt planning for learner placement, resource allocation, and staffing, and place additional strain on the department to place learners immediately during a period when schools are closed for the holidays. This means that discussions around placement can only resume once schools reopen, delaying the process further.”
Hammond reiterated that the responsibility to apply on time rests with parents / guardians. She says late applications impact the entire system. In the meantime, Hammond says, the WCED has been working tirelessly to place learners. The department is engaging with schools to identify open places.
“The WCED will conduct its 10-day snap survey once schools have been open for ten days. This survey provides accurate data on learner numbers in each grade, allowing the system to settle before reporting. The information gathered is critical for determining where additional resources – such as furniture and equipment – are needed and where further placement opportunities may exist.”
Hammond further encourages parents who have not applied for this year to urgently do so at their nearest WCED District Office. In Drakenstein, parents can visit the satellite office at 6 Hospital Street or call 023 348 4601.
