As the second term of the 2024 academic year draws to a close, scores of Nelson Mandela Bay pupils are still sitting idle at home because they have not yet been placed in schools.
Residents, particularly in the townships and northern areas, have labelled the situation a crisis.
Parents said classrooms were packed to the brim, leaving no space for their children to get an education, despite it being their fundamental right, as enshrined in the constitution.
The education department said it was looking into the matter.
Naomi van Niekerk of Greenbushes, meanwhile, found herself in a dilemma when she was allegedly told to find another school for her daughter because she was falling behind on her school fees.
“On Monday [last week] I was informed I have to move her out of [the school]. I was given a transfer letter,” she said.
“I have been looking around for a school for her since, but they are all full.
“I was paying but I am late on my fees. It’s a very stressful situation.”
A Helenvale woman said her sister’s child was still sitting at home because she had not been placed.
“My sister’s daughter, who is currently staying with us, fell pregnant in grade 11,” the woman said.
“She wanted to go back this year but sadly the school declined her application due to ‘no space’.
“She is currently at home with no future.
“All she wants is to get an education.”
A Gelvandale resident, who declined to be named, said her child was still awaiting placement for grade 8.
“All his peers went to high school, but not him,” she said.
“I don’t know what to say to him any more, it’s not like we don’t want him in school, it’s just that we can’t get him into a school.
“We moved here from another province in February but all the schools we could consider were already full.
“In actual fact, he only got to experience high school for two weeks.
“He needs to sit the rest of the year out now and only attend school next year.”
Jeftha Nomsa of New Brighton said his grandson had been at home for the past six months.
“They don’t want to accept him in New Brighton, Kwazakhele or Zwide.
“He desperately needs to go to grade 1.
“I was late with the application last year but I have explained the situation to the district education department.
“No-one is doing anything to help us.”
AfriForum’s head of education, Alana Bailey, said the placement issue was “a crying shame”.
She said provincial departments got huge budgets to provide infrastructure so more schools could be built but this was not done.
“On May 28, new norms and standards for public school infrastructure were published in the Government Gazette.
“This gives the department 12 months to come up with plans to improve the situation ... forgive me for not feeling optimistic.
“No child may be denied education because of nonpayment, so that mother [Van Niekerk] should consider getting legal assistance from Section 27 or a similar organisation.
“The department has a legal obligation to provide education and placement, but the situation continues to deteriorate all the time. There is no accountability.
“The only solution is for more accountability for politicians and officials. New education models need to be explored.”
Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said he had reached out to officials at the Nelson Mandela Bay education district office and would provide feedback in due course.
“The main responsibility of the department is to ensure each and every learner has access to basic education,” he said.
Education expert Prof Jonathan Jansen said it was completely unacceptable that so many pupils were not in school so far into the academic year.
“No child should be outside a public school, regardless of their circumstances,” he said.
“Every day of learning lost means the chances of success for that child are diminished.
“Finally, it is the responsibility of the education department in the province to ensure enrolment, whatever the costs.”
HeraldLIVE
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