Johannesburg - Gauteng parents have been called to confirm the placement of their children at schools by Friday. The Gauteng Department of Education warned that if parents didn't confirm that they accepted or rejected the schools their children had been placed at, they would lose their spaces to those who were on waiting lists.
At least 51 000 parents haven't confirmed their placements.
Earlier this year, parents had to use the Gauteng online application system to apply for spaces for their children to be in grades 1 and 8 for next year.
Gauteng education spokespersin Oupa Bodibe said: “This delay on the part of the parents is clogging up the system, making it difficult for the department to place all learners who have applied.”
At the start of the 2016 academic year, more than 7 000 pupils, who applied late, had not been placed in schools. The online application system was introduced to make the process easier for parents.
Bodibe said district offices were busy placing children who applied between April 19 and June 1. He assured all parents that their children would be placed. “The placement of learners is on track. All the applicants will be placed,” he said.
On Saturday the department will host open days for parents at Boitumelong Secondary School in Tembisa and Hoër Tegniese Skool Springs in Ekurhuleni. At the open days, parents will receive assistance with their applications.
The Star