More than 100 000 WC learners in Grade 1 and 8 placed for the 2023 school year, since November.

The Western Cape Education Department said more than 100 000 learners in Grade 1 and 8 have been placed for the 2023 school year in the province.

The department said they received 117 270 applications for learners for the two grades, of which 22 113 were received late.

‘’As of 3 November 2022, we have placed 100 302, or 89.1%, of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2023 school year, and are in the process of placing 12 786, or 10.9%, of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2023 school year,’’ said MEC David Maynier.

‘’However, this does not take into account the extremely late applications that we expect to receive from the end of this year onwards. Last year, we received over 7 900 extremely late applications for the 2022 school year, with most of those arriving after January 2022,’’ he added.

Maynier said they are aiming to build many more schools and classrooms than previously, to accommodate these learners. Addition to this 1 143 educators will be appointed in the new year.

‘’This means that a sufficient number of teaching posts will be allocated to schools in preparation for the completion of additional classrooms, so they will be ready to go when learners arrive,’’ said Education MEC, David Maynier.

The MEC appealed to parents to not weait for the last minute to apply for the 2023 school academic year

‘’This is where parents can really help us: if you have not yet applied for your child for 2023, please do so immediately at your district office. Do not wait until January next year, as this will make it much harder for us to place you child timeously.’’

‘’We would like to thank those parents who have already applied for their patience as we finalise placement of their children, and appeal to them to ensure that they have supplied accurate and current contact details to us. We are unfortunately still struggling to reach some parents when we have a place to offer for their child,’’ added Maynier.

The MEC said officials are still placing learners.

‘’We understand that you will be anxious to have a place confirmed, and our officials are working around the clock to do so. Your children are, and will remain, the number 1 priority for our department. We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to place every learner,’’ said Education MEC, David Maynier.

 

Done By: Mitchum George