Only 7% in public schools are foreigners - MEC

Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane is pushing back against criticism over undocumented foreign children in schools, insisting the scale of the issue is exaggerated and pupils should not be framed as a threat.

- Oratile Mashilo

MISPERCEPTIONS. Department of higher education and training director-general Nkosinathi Sishi delivers the keynote address at Regenesys School of Education principals' breakfast yesterday. It was also attended by Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane, who debunked the notion that migrants' kids are crowding SA children out of government schools. Picture: Nigel Sibanda

(Nigel Sibanda)

Speaking on the sidelines of Regenesys School of Education principals’ breakfast yesterday, Chiloane addressed concerns following new department of basic education regulations that allow undocumented foreign children to attend school.

Chiloane said that despite the heated public discourse, the actual numbers do not support the widespread belief that foreign children are overwhelming the system.