Cape Town – As the new academic year begins in Cape Town, at least 400 Grade 1 learners and over 2,200 Grade 8 learners remain unplaced in schools.
According to IOL, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Bronagh Hammond said that the department received late registrations and applications starting in December.
She confirmed that a total of 124,691 applications were submitted for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for the 2025 school year.
“While the number of learners requiring placement has decreased since the beginning of December, we have received additional extremely late applications, which has made this a moving target. We are, however, in a better position than most previous years and are looking at placement opportunities.
[WATCH] As thousands of learners return to class for the beginning of the 2025 academic year, some parents are still awaiting the registration of their children. SABC News reporter Mariska Botha is at Timour Hall Primary School in Plumstead, Western Cape, with more updates. pic.twitter.com/ypWtoB3srL
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 15, 2025
“With schools opening up for staff on Monday, we can now engage more extensively with schools on these opportunities,” the report quoted Hammond as saying.
Political parties have expressed concern over the province’s decision to cut 2,407 teaching positions, warning that it will worsen educational inequality, especially in poorer areas like Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, the report said.
The cuts are expected to lead to overcrowded classrooms, fewer subject offerings, and reduced learner support.
The Western Cape Education department has cut over 2,000 teaching posts due to a R3.8 billion budget shortfall. That’s despite stakeholder objections. Equal Education Law Centre Legal Researcher, Katherine Sutherland, spoke to #eNCA. #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/71G7bCXWMI
— eNCA (@eNCA) January 10, 2025
The GOOD Party and ANC are calling for urgent intervention from Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to prevent further damage to the education system.
The Bishop Lavis Action Community (BLAC) has planned protests against the teacher layoffs, demanding an end to the cuts and better investment in education.
According to Times Live, many parents are also worried about their children’s school placements, as thousands remain unplaced in other provinces. In Mpumalanga, 7,924 Grade 1 and 8 pupils are still waiting for placement, with factors like high demand for English-medium schools, migration, and a shortage of high schools contributing to the issue, the report said.
In Free State, 7,034 pupils are awaiting placement, and in North West, 915 Grade 8 pupils are in the same situation.
The basic education department highlighted that there are fewer secondary schools compared to primary ones, and many parents prefer English-medium schools in suburban areas, which are limited.
The department has encouraged parents to consider all available options, as the curriculum is consistent across the province.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
