The school placement scramble parents can’t ignore

ALMOST 23 000 children in four provinces are still waiting for school places just eh before schools reopen.

- NICOLA MAWSON

A shortage of classrooms and teachers is making the challenge worse, especially as Grade R becomes compulsory across South Africa.

Globally, about 60 million primary-age children are not enrolled in school at all. Roughly 1 in 10 children of primary school age remain out of school.

This leaves parents asking two urgent questions at once: “How do we secure a place now?” and “What is our Plan B if we don’t?”

Here are practical steps for families caught in placement bottlenecks - from documenting applications and tracking provincial deadlines to exploring recognised alternatives that keep learning on track:

1. Apply early to multiple schools.

2. Confirm acceptance of placement offers quickly.

3. Keep documentation complete and up to date.

4. Understand objections and appeals.