Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) on Monday announced the commencement of the placement of learners whose parents had applied through the online application process for the 2018 academic year.
"The Gauteng Department of Education has today commenced with placement of learners, which closes on 30 October 2017. Parents will receive offers of placement by SMS and have seven days (7) to accept or reject the offer. Parents are urged to respond to the placement offer by either accepting or rejecting it," the GDE said in a statement.
"However not all parents will receive an SMS before the end of August. Districts are working with schools to sign off and verify final list of admission per school. This process was delayed by the winter school holidays.Parents are urged not to panic if they have not received an SMS in the next three weeks. However, they should contact the district if no SMS notification has been received after three weeks from today."
The department said parents that had been informed that their application had been declined could lodge an objection with the district. The objection form was obtainable on their website www.education.gpg.gov.za or at the school.
"Initial placement statistics will not be available until later next week," the department said.
"A total of 12,684 applications were made by non-South African Citizens. When incomplete documents are submitted and the parent submits proof of application from Department of Home Affairs, schools will accept learners provisionally. The above provision is applicable to both South African and non- South African citizens. Schools will keep a database of undocumented learners and parents."
Gauteng MEC of Education, Panyaza Lesufi, and the department commended parents for responding well to the online admissions.
“Once more, we thank the people of Gauteng for the overwhelming response to the online admissions. The early processing of admissions means that learning and teaching can commence on the first day of the 2018 academic calendar,” said Lesufi.
Meanwhile, the GDE added that they strongly condemned the rejection of a school principal in Klipspruit West due their race.
"The department has learnt the disturbing news that the community in Klipspruit West has rejected the principal because of their skin colour. This action is strongly condemned, as it runs against the non-racial principles of our society. Educators are appointed on the basis of qualification and experience."