Gauteng starts placing learners

© Nolre Lourens – 123RF.com

The process will close on 30 October.

Online applications for Grades 1 and 8 for the 2018 academic year opened on 2 May and closed on 12 June 2017.

The department on Monday said parents will be sent offers of placement via SMS and they will then have seven days to accept or reject the offer. The department urged parents to respond to the placement offer by either accepting or rejecting.

Districts are working with schools to sign off and verify final lists of admission per school. This process was delayed by the winter school holidays.

The department said parents should not panic if they do not receive a SMS in the next three weeks. They should contact the district if no SMS notification has been received after three weeks from 24 July.

“Parents that have been informed that their application has been declined can lodge an objection with the district. The objection form is attainable on our website www.education.gpg.gov.za or at the school,” said the department.

Initial placement statistics will not be available until later next week.

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has thanked Gauteng residents for the overwhelming response to the online admissions process.

“The early processing of admissions means that learning and teaching can commence on the first day of the 2018 academic calendar,” he said.

Racial discrimination condemned

The department, meanwhile, has condemned the protest by the Klipspruit West community, who allegedly have rejected the principal of a school because of their skin colour.

“This action is strongly condemned, as it runs against the non-racial principles of our society. Educators are appointed on the basis of qualification and experience.”