Johannesburg - A man has been accused of selling places in a long queue at the popular Parkview Junior School where parents are waiting to register their children.
The system was created by what parents called “a tycoon from outside”, who hired a number of homeless people and parking attendants to stand in line and sell places near the front of the queue, for between R1 000 and R1 500.
A few parents were willing to pay the price.
“It’s not really illegal. I’m happy to pay to get my place,” said a father who asked to remain anonymous.
Another parent said she too was happy to pay.
“It’s a good school, I want my child to have the best chance of getting in here and if I need to pay to get a spot in the front, I’ll do so.”
One mom said she had been waiting since Saturday to get her child into Grade 1 and was upset by this system. “It’s a scam. People have been sitting in line for three or four days and now parents just arrive and pay for a spot in the front.
“It’s unfair. These guys selling off seats are creating problems here. They’re the ones causing the long lines,” one father complained.
Parkview resident and father, Ryan James, suggested a new queuing system should be implemented by the Gauteng Education Department.
“There should be an in-area queuing system on April 21 for parents who live in Parkview and the surrounding areas, and an outside-area queuing systemon April 22 for people applying from outside.
“Parents living here should have first preference,” he added.
But not all parents were irritated with the situation and some were even unconcerned by the long wait.
“It’s worth the wait,” said a mother who asked to be identified only as Gloria. “It’s an amazing school, and it’s very affordable.”
“The demographics is one of the main reasons I’ve chosen to apply here. We’re in the new South Africa and diversity is a big part of our lives,” said another mother, explaining that she was applying for her daughter to get into Grade 1.
Many of the parents in the queue live in Joburg’s central business district as well as Melville, Emmarentia and Greenside.
“We come from all over, because we know this is where the hype is, and where we can guarantee our children a brilliant education,” one father said.
The Star