All systems go for the first day of school in 2019

on



Thousands of pupils and "bundles of joy" across the country kick off their schooling careers for 2019 while others will only return to class on Monday for the start of the new academic year.

As the new academic year begins for schools, parents, guardians, learners, and the price of stationery and uniforms is being placed under the spotlight.

Many schools require specific brands of stationery and have their uniforms sold at selected stores, which are often pricier than alternative brands.

However, the Department of Basic Education says that it is ready for the 2019 school academic year.
According to Eyewitness News (EWN), the Department's spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga said they believe that the majority of schools are going to start teaching in earnest when learners arrive at school.

"We are aware that the first day of school always brings with it challenges," Mhlanga told EWN.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says they believe that all has been done to ensure a smooth start to the first day of school and that learning and teaching will commence without any disruptions.

To kick off the first day of school, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, together with Lesufi and Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo, hand over the newly constructed Menzi Primary School in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni.

“This is an important milestone, as the school is among our newly designed and constructed mega school infrastructure aimed at improving the quality of education in township schools,” says Lesufi.

Due to the demand for space in Gauteng schools, the MEC also announced that Tshepisong, Mayfield and Centurion Primary Schools will also be opened this month of January to address demands in high-pressure areas.

2019 school year admissions in numbers

Tallying up the applications and admission numbers for Grade 1 and 8 online admissions, the department says it received 282 823 early applications for the 2019 academic year. Of these, 266 613 (94.3%) are placed, whereas 16 210 (5.7%) applicants have not responded to offers or calls to submit documents.

“We appeal to parents to accept placement offers by the district, as these are the only available spaces,” says Lesufi.

A few late applications are still open

For prospective students, private school, Mathews Phosa College in Nelspruit, registration is still open with limited space for grade 8 to 11.

Please Note: For any inquiries, please contact 060 795 7804/013 733 3224.

Lesufi says as of 7 January 2019, a total of 205 schools reached capacity and 863 schools still have available spaces for immediate placement.

“The department received a total of 24 228 late applications, and of these, 19 803 applied by 15 December 2018, while 2402 applied during school holidays,” said the MEC. 

Of these applications, 8 090 (33.4%) have successfully been placed; while 16 138 (66.6%) are provisionally placed and will be finalised when documents are submitted.

“Parents are urged to submit the required documents to finalise placements. Furthermore, parents are advised to submit the required documents (birth certificate, ID copies, proof of address etc) immediately after placement,” says Lesufi.

All districts are operating as walk-in centres to assist parents with applications from 7 – 31 January 2019.

The most common challenges reported at walk-in centres include the following:

- A large number of parents are new applicants;

- Follow-ups on appeal outcomes;

- Existing applicants trying to re-apply;

- Late Applicants requesting transfers to schools that are no longer available in the system due to capacity. Applicants will not be transferred to schools that are no longer available in the App. What you find in the App, is what is available.

-Relocations and placement in inner grades.

Lesufi assures anxious parents that the department is doing everything possible to place all unplaced learners.

“We appeal for patience, calm and cooperation in the interest of learners,” he says.











Comments

Post a Comment