Battle for place in class

There has been relief for some Mitchell’s Plain parents and guardians who were still desperately trying to get places for their children three weeks after schools opened for the new year.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) assisted in accessing placements after a meeting was called by Mitchell’s Plain Community Advice and Development Project (MPCADP).

Over 150 people attended the meeting on Wednesday February 5 at Portland Indoor Centre to seek urgent intervention from the WCED so their children can finally get to class.

Human rights coordinator and paralegal at MPCADP, Joanne Muller, highlighted the desperate situation of parents struggling to find placements.

“The WCED needs to step in and assist with proper registration. We’ve invited them to attend but they didn’t show. This is a crisis,” said Ms Muller.

The crisis has been exacerbated by budget cuts affecting many teachers and leading to overcrowded schools, said Ms Muller (“Budget cuts bite ‘Plain teachers”, Plainsman April 10, 2024; “‘Gutter education’ warning over budget cuts”, Plainsman September 11, 2024).

“It's not just about placing children in schools; they’re being affected by social ills. Gangsters recruit children. Keeping children in school is critical in protecting them.”

Limited access to the internet made the online application process more difficult for many parents, said Ms Muller. “The system is supposed to make things easier, but it isn’t working for our community. Many parents don’t have IDs for themselves or their children, making registration near impossible.”

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said due to short notice they couldn’t attend the meeting last Wednesday.

However, MPCADP met with WCED officials the next day, Thursday February 6, discussing late applications, unplaced pupils, transfers, and cases of pupils allegedly denied admission due to age or language barriers.

Thaaqib van der Ross, from Harmony Village, Woodlands, confirmed with the Plainsman on Monday February 10 that his 13-year-old son was placed at Cedar High School of Arts in Rocklands.

They had applied to Spine Road, Rocklands, Mondale, Portland and Westridge high schools, where there was no place. His wife Faheema van der Ross said their son got accepted at Lentegeur High School but due to violence at the school, they declined the offer.

They sought assistance from the WCED in Ottery. The Education Department in Lentegeur sent an SMS, but no further details were provided, she said.

Their son was placed after they had attended the meeting on Wednesday February 5.

A parent and former teacher from Rocklands, known to the Plainsman but who does not want to be named, said she’s been waiting since 2023 for school placement for her daughter. “I applied multiple times, visited the Department of Higher Education, but never responded.”

She said the WCED had called her on Monday February 10 and her daughter had been placed at Cedar High School of Arts in Rocklands.

Ms Hammond said the pupil had applied late in January last year but was now placed at Cedar High.

Grandmother Sandra Carelse from Tafelsig said they’re still awaiting communication from the WCED.

According to Ms Hammond, the WCED contacted the grandmother, but she lacked details about the pupil. “Without accurate information, we couldn't verify or locate the learner.”

Ms Carelse said: “It took us two months to apply, and we didn’t have wi-fi or money to complete the process. My daughter walked to schools but her son still hasn’t been accepted after three months of waiting.”

Community leader Danial Rass called for direct action. “Talking and complaining won’t help. We should protest until our children are placed.”

Ncumisa Nobhongoza, community liaison officer in the parent sector for Equal Education NGO, said they help parents with online applications and advocate for fair placement.

“We must meet parents where they are to help with the process.”

Debra Bailey, programme coordinator for Women and Youth Development non-profit organisation, said: “No child should be out of school for a whole academic year. Parents feel hopeless, and the WCED needs to take responsibility. Schools must have a set percentage of placements for children living within their radius, with transport arrangements for those outside it.”

Ms Hammond said cases requiring social development intervention, such as parental neglect, were also highlighted in their meeting. “The committee provided a list of over 30 names, though it lacked key details. They will submit an updated list this week.”

Ms Muller said the list of 30 names is growing by the day as many more children need a place at school.

“A major issue is outdated contact details, making it difficult to reach parents about school placements. Parents awaiting feedback should contact their WCED district office,” said Ms Hammond.

Some pupils were offered placements, but parents declined, preferring specific schools. High-demand schools receive thousands of applications, making placement difficult. Language and subject choices in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase add further challenges, said Ms Hammond.

Parents should apply early - applications for 2026 open on Tuesday March 11. A list of pop-ups will be available on the WCED website.

For more information contact Equal Education for assistance with applications on 079 393 6681 or their office on 021 361 7109 or contact Ms Bailey on 082 520 9139.

Contact Ms Muller on 079 145 0576.