Education official express concern as the date to re-open schools nears

The Department of Basic Education is facing a legal challenge over its decision not to publish the latest matric results on public platforms.

Last week, the department wrote a letter to media houses informing them that the move was in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), which came into effect in July last year. The format of the results was changed in recent years to exclude the names of matriculants - only their exam numbers were listed.

The Western Cape Education Department also stated that 575 grade 1 and 3,014 grade 8 learners are still unplaced and over 32,000 late applications were submitted. Equal Education Law Centre EELC said they came accross “unlawful practice” of some schools insisting that parents pay a registration fee for their children to be admitted.

With two days before public schools in coastal provinces reopen, some education officials are worried about the wellbeing of learners. In the Eastern Cape, flooding has wrought havoc across parts of the province. Many children from displaced families have been left without schooling supplies or clothes. 

Meanwhile in the Western Cape, Education MEC Debbie Schafer fears the recent extension of the state of disaster will further affect pupils.

by Everngelista Muza