Gauteng starts admissions early to ensure its all systems go in January 2014. On 9 April, we are taking the first step in preparing for the 2014 schooling year in Gauteng. From tomorrow, parents can go to their nearest school to pick up application forms for learners who want to start Grade 1 or Grade 8 in a Gauteng school in 2014. Schools will accept completed application forms from 17 April to 21 May 2013.
Starting the admissions process in the second term will ensure all our schools are ready to operate from the first day of the 2014 schooling year. It will also ensure we are able to meet our Constitutional obligation to place all those who need a place in a public school.
Knowing the number of learners coming to schools in 2014 enables us to prepare early for school infrastructure, learner and teacher support material, and furniture. Equally important is for schools to have sufficient time to prepare timetables, recruit teachers and where necessary arrange nutrition and scholar transport.
By June this year, we would have opened 13 new schools. A further 9 schools are still under construction in preparation for the 2014 schooling year. Our scholar transport programme is now transporting 68 000 learners compared to 65 000 last year. We have created 500 new growth posts this year to prevent bigger class sizes in public schools as a result of increased demand for school places.
In addition to assisting schools to prepare timeously for the 2014 academic year, GDE believes that all children, no matter their background, have the right to quality basic education in the public sector. Furthermore, it is the duty of government to give meaning to this not least through the determination and implementation of common admissions policies.
In the case of Gauteng, it is the duty of the GDE in particular, to ensure equal and fair access to public sector education. When applying for a school place, parents need to bring the following together with the completed application form:
- Birth certificate or certified copy (a baptismal certificate is not acceptable)
- At least one (1) parent’s ID
- Proof of residence or work address
- Immunisation card (for grade 1)
- Study permits for legal immigrants
- Asylum documents for refugees and asylum seekers
- Transfer card and/or latest school report card.
Parents must insist on, and be provided with, a waiting list number upon submission of the completed application form with relevant documents. This waiting list number will indicate if you are on waiting list A (for parents within a feeder area of a school) or waiting list B (parents outside of a feeder area of a school). Once again, we urge parents who find themselves on a waiting list to make sure they also apply to alternative schools to avoid disappointment.
District Directors will sign off waiting lists between 11 June and 12 July. At the start of the third term (15 to 26 July), parents will receive letters informing them of the outcome of their application. Parents should accept or reject placement within 7 school days of receiving the letters.
District directors will offer alternative placements in other schools to all unplaced learners that apply before 21 May 2013. By 30 August, we aim to have completed the admission process so we begin the process of preparing schools for the 2014 academic year.
There will be provision made for late registration where a family has an unforeseen need for a place in a Gauteng school. This is meant to assist parents who due to emergency cases need space for January. But parents must remember that they won’t be guaranteed to find space at this late stage in their preferred school. It is therefore important that any family who intends moving to Gauteng in 2014, applies between 17 April and 21 May.
In preparation for the admissions process, we have consulted with School Governing Body Associations, all of whom were called to a meeting with the Department prior to schools being informed of the new registration period.
We urge all governing bodies to work with us to ensure the admissions process runs smoothly and all learners who start primary or secondary school in 2014 are able to access quality basic public education.
For more information:
Charles Phahlane
Cell: 071 860 4496
Tel: 011 355 1530
