The Mpumalanga Department of Education takes this time to inform and encourage all parents of children of school going age to register their children for 2015 school year.
The process to register children starts today 5 May 2014, and will proceed until 29 August 2014.
The department saw it essential to start the process early to ensure that parents have adequate time to register their children and to ensure that challenges can be resolved on time.
This process is guided by the admission guidelines which were issued by the Head of Department, Mrs Mahlasedi Mhlabane on 1 December 2013.
According to those guidelines all schools are required to manage this process in their respective schools and to compile reports to update the line function on progress in accordance to the Admission Policy of learners in public schools and the respective school’s admission policy.
Schools’ admission policies must always take the Republic of South Africa's constitutional mandate into account and should be inline with the dictates of the South African Schools Act no 84 of 1996.
All districts must submit their progress reports to the Head of Department on 31 September 2014.
Circuit Managers will be expected to lead all processes of addressing critical cases that may arise from the admission process. This process must be finalised by 15 October 2014.
A final report on the admission of learners must be submitted by District Directors to the Head of Department on 30 October 2014.
Admission guidelines
Roles of principals
- All principals of public ordinary schools must acknowledge that this is a delegated function that must be managed efficiently and in line with the admission policy.
- They must develop clear plans on how they are going to administer the 2014 admission process in accordance with the dates provided herein, and ensure 100% adherence to the plan;
- They must set reasonable time frames to administer the admission process;
- They must inform parents about their rights and responsibilities;
- They must always be available to address challenges that arise from the process;
- They must at all times communicate with parents, communities and stakeholders in a manner befitting of the teaching profession.
- They must compile reports and make every effort to give applicants feedback on time.
- They must treat every applicant with dignity and ensure that the process of admitting learners is free from any form of unfair discrimination.
- They must ensure that no child is denied admission to a school on the basis that his/her parents are unable to pay or have not paid school fees, or does not subscribe to the mission statement of the school or refuse to enter into contract in terms of which the parents waive any claim for damages arising out of the education of the learner.
- They must go an extra mile to assist parents who seek admission in line with the admission policy and engage the Circuit Office should they experience any difficulty in resolving some of the problems that arise from the process.
Roles of Circuit Managers
- All Circuit Managers are expected to support principals and ensure that the process of admitting learners progresses smoothly.
- They must develop a monitoring framework and compile reports in line with the dates provided above.
- They must ensure that parents are informed of their rights and responsibilities.
- They must develop a strategy to address critical cases in consultation with principals.
- They must help to ensure that all cases are resolved amicably and in the best interest of learners.
- They must ensure that the administrative processes are not compromised and that the policy framework is adhered to at all times.
- They must always be available to address the concerns of parents and principals including those from School Governing Bodies.
- They must make it their responsibility that on the first day of the re-opening of schools there are no glitches and that teaching and learning takes place smoothly.
Roles of the District Managers
- District Managers are expected to ensure that this process is managed meticulously and with the professionalism it deserves.
- They must support schools and parents who seek admission and ensure that they are given the required assistance at all times.
- They must hold schools and Circuit Offices accountable throughout this process.
- They must make it their obligation to address all concerns of parents in an amicable manner.
- They must write reports to the Head of Department in line with the timelines provided above.
Role of Head Office
- They will monitor the process, receive reports from Districts and respond where there is a need.
- They will support Districts at all times and enforce adherence to the rules and regulations.
The admission guidelines seeks to achieve and ensure a seamless process of admitting learners so that teaching and learning can commence on the first day of re-opening on 14 January 2015.
For enquiries contact:
Mr Jasper Zwane
Cell: 083 743 1804
E-mail: j.zwane@education.mpu.gov.za
