Parents formed long queues outside the Northern Cape Department of Education’s Frances Baard district offices on the first day of the school year on Wednesday.
PARENTS formed long queues outside the Northern Cape Department of Education’s Frances Baard district offices on the first day of the school year on Wednesday.
Most of the parents were trying to secure a place at a school for their children after the online admission system for late applications closed on Tuesday.
Several of the parents said that they had been waiting in the queue since 6am on Tuesday and had to return on Wednesday as they had been unsuccessful the day before.
One parent blamed “technical issues” with the online system for her child not being placed yet.
“I applied online last year and filled in my school choice for Floors High School, where my child is supposed to start Grade 8. The application was marked incomplete and my child is waiting in the queue with me while her peers are excited to start their first day of school.” said the parent.
Joseph Oliphant added that he was trying to secure placements for his children who are in Grade 8 and Grade 11.
“Their mother found a job in Kimberley and we wanted the children to attend schooling here. I am supposed to work the night shift and will have to rush back to Postmasburg after standing all day in the queue.”
He explained that he wanted his children to attend an English and Afrikaans-medium school.
A spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe, said that schools in both urban and rural areas were filled to capacity.
“We are conducting head counts in each grade and school, particularly in the Frances Baard District, to determine available places. All outstanding pupils should be placed by the end of the week,” said Van der Merwe.
He pointed out that the queues at the district offices were comprised of parents who were unhappy with the placements provided.
“Pupils were allocated according to the three options selected by parents. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accommodate all pupils with their first choice due to limited capacity.”
Van der Merwe added that the first day of the new academic year got off to a smooth start in the Northern Cape on Wednesday.
“No major incidents, disruptions or challenges were reported. Members of the executive council of the Northern Cape provincial government, members of the provincial legislature and members of Parliament visited schools in all five districts to monitor the opening of schools.”
He indicated that the department was in the process of replacing the asbestos materials at the new Petrusville Primary School, which is still under construction.
“We have decided to open the school on January 22, due to the exposure of asbestos, which poses a health risk to educators, support staff and learners. The delay is due to the intermittent rainfall over the past weeks in the area. The contractor assured the department that the school premises would be ready and safe for occupation by the end of this week. A curriculum recovery plan will be put in place for the three schooling days lost.”
Van der Merwe stated that parents shut down Topline Intermediate School in Groblershoop as they demanded that the department either build a new school nearer to their homes or provide learner transport.
“We have tasked our district office to engage with the community to explore the possibility of providing transport to and from the school. We hope to resolve this matter as soon as possible.”
He added that a snapshot survey would be conducted to identify any shortcomings and challenges including the need for additional school furniture, educators and learning and teaching support material.
“The department will continue to monitor and assess the first 10 days of schooling and intervene immediately in matters where learning and teaching are affected.” Van der Merwe concluded.
