Time almost up to apply for place in class next year

The coronavirus outbreak may have disrupted the 2020 academic year, but that has not stopped Eastern Cape schools from distributing application forms for 2021.

Some schools are finished distributing applications, others are still in the process.

The Dispatch has often reported at the beginning of each academic year that a large influx of pupils are unable to find places at schools as they are already full.

Provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said to avoid the annual rush, “parents must apply to as many schools as possible instead of having only one choice, which may be everyone's choice.” 

Mtima said 2021 application forms had been issued since  June and filled out applications could be handed in until the end of October.

For East London parent Dinile Vusani, the process had been frustrating.

When he applied to Greenpoint Secondary School in Buffalo Flats he was dismayed to find the school's Grade 8 enrolment was “full”, just a day after the application process opened.

“I collected the application forms from the school on the very same day they were released. I made sure to return them the next day to avoid disappointment.”

“But I was told the school was already full and my child wouldn't attend the school because she lived in Mdantsane,” Vusani said.

“The school has learners from all over the city, including Mdantsane.” 

“When they told me that that was the reason, I told them that I had a Ziphunzane address which my child could stay at while schooling at Greenpoint,” he said.

“I was also frustrated by the treatment I received from the school. When I tried to inquire and dig deeper into the situation, a male worker I spoke to at the school hung up the phone while I was still talking.” 

“I even took this matter up at Rubusana education department district office,” Vusani said.

The school's governing body chair, Leon Cassels, said the SGB would “follow up on the matter.” 

“That is not normally how we do things at the school. Applications are collected as parents submit them and they are scrutinised before final decisions are made,” Cassels said.

He conceded geographical preference was given to pupils staying in surrounding areas.

“This makes it easier for pupils to commute to school and avoids exorbitant transport costs for parents.”

St Johns College in Mthatha, a top performing school in the province, usually has an “overflow” of pupils seeking enrolment, said SGB chairperson Gcobani Fadane.

He said the school serviced pupils from Lusikisiki, Flagstaff, Port St Johns, Tsolo and Qumbu.

Fundisile Ndlwengeno, SGB chair at Mdantsane's Embekweni Junior Primary, said the school was waiting for district officials to “give direction” on the opening of applications for 2021. 

“Applications for the next year are yet to be released. We usually release them at the end of August and the deadline is usually mid-September,” he said. – DispatchLIVE