As the schools re-opened today, some children starting grades 1 and 8 have not yet been placed in Gauteng. Some parents are dissatisfied with the schools provided by the system and have appealed. MEC for Education in the province, Matome Chiloane, says the department is faced with a problem of parents who applied late, accepted available schools, and then went to the district to complain or demand changes.

HANDLING IT

Chiloane said some parents have applied for appeals to get alternative schools. "Those that completed their applications have been placed, meaning that we offered space to 325,000 of them. Our system is sitting at 100%; the only issue is those who appealed and those who don't want certain schools; that's where the challenge is," Chiloane said.

LATE APPLICATIONS

He said they also got late applications, which are sitting at about 14,000. "This 14,000 is from yesterday, and I'm sure the number will increase today because obviously, the first day has big challenges. Some of the parents apply in the system late; when they apply, they select the school that they are given as an option, and then they go to the district to demand a different school."

Chiloane added that they are working hard as the department to ensure that every child is placed and not slacking behind. He reassured parents that they've made sure that their schools provide quality education despite the location. "Matric results have proven that despite the area, as long as good quality education is provided, the best learners will be produced. Look, the best-performing matric learner in Gauteng came from Kwa-Thema," he said.