Online registration not everyone’s cup of tea

Thousands of learners in Gauteng – including Grade 1 and 8s – started the new school year on 11 January.

But, approximately 40 000 learners across Gauteng were left with no school to go to, after they were informed that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had not placed them at a school yet.

The GDE introduced a new online registration process last year, through which parents had to register new Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, in an effort to resolve the issue of overcrowding in schools at the start of every academic year. According to the GDE, except for a few issues, they were comforted by the fact that the majority of parents using this system were helped and their children placed at schools.

Oupa Bodibe, spokesperson for the GDE said that the non-placement of learners could be attributed to the following:

– A shortage of schools in Gauteng and rising demand in placement resulted in many parents – even those who applied early – not being helped

– Some parents applied after the deadline of 1 June 2016

– Due to the December holidays, some schools could not update the system.

Bodibe assured parents all unplaced learners will be placed as soon as possible. “We have deployed officials to help parents with placements face-to-face,” he said.

He said further that the GDE now has accurate data showing where a demand for more schools exists and the building of schools will be prioritised. “Gauteng needs about 200 new schools. We are building at least 10 per year. Suburban areas cannot cope with the demand and the focus needs to be on building schools in townships, especially where there have none in the past,” said Bodibe.

The Record asked some of the parents of Grade 1 and 8 learners for their opinion of the online registration process and if they experienced any issues. This is what some of them had to say:

– Doreen Rose Sardinha said she registered online with no issues and her child was accepted in September last year. “She started Grade 1 today (11 January),” she said.

– Lucille Jooste said her child was accepted last year and started Grade 1. “In my opinion the system worked fine and I think it is better than standing in a queue for hours on end,” she said.

– Alain Kabenge admitted that the online registration process had given him some nightmares. He went to the Department of Education in Florida and after being helped there, his daughter was able to start Grade 1.

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