(KZN)
21 September 2006
Principals who enrol more children than what their schools can accommodate,
will now have to answer to KwaZulu-Natal Education head Dr Cassius Lubisi.
This new measure will be implemented to curb overcrowded classrooms caused
by principals who oversubscribe their schools at the expense of neighbouring
schools. The capacity of a school must be in agreement with the current
teacher/learner ratio. According to the 2006 teacher/learner ratio the average
KZN class has one educator per 32,35 learners but there may not be more than 40
children in a class. (The 2007 teacher/learner ratio is 1:31,36).
Principals must determine the number of learners that can be accommodated by
their schools before August each year. Should there be a need for exceeding the
maximum class size the school must apply to the Ward Manager for permission to
enrol above the maximum.
This clause was added to the school admissions policy of the KZN Department.
The new learner admission policy for public schools has been launched today (21
September 2006) in Amanzimtoti.
The new policy also gives guidance regarding school zoning. The Head of
Department, after consultation with representatives of school governing bodies,
may determine feeder zones for ordinary public schools. This will assist the
Department to control the learner numbers of schools and co-ordinate parental
preferences. Such feeder zones need not be geographically adjacent to the
school or to each other.
KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Ina Cronjé appeals to parents to enrol their
children now for admission to a school in 2006 so that teaching and learning
starts on day one.
âEnrol now for the sake of your child. Donât leave it until next year.â
Enquiries: Christi Naudé
Director: Media and Citizen Liaison (Acting)
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
21 September 2006
