OUTCRY OVER 2026 SCHOOL PLACEMENTS

Thousands of children yet to be placed

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

EDUCATION watchdogs have criticised the provincial and national government for their placement strategy, citing that they must take responsibility for racial profiling in schools and that the system is flawed. This while political parties said it noted that 23000 children nationally have yet to be placed for the 2026 school year.

Bronagh Hammond, Director of Communication - Western Cape Education Department, confirmed that as of January 7, the WCED has successfully placed 180960 (96%) learners for whom applications were received for Grades R, 1, and 8 for the 2026 school year. Placement is still in progress for 7540 learners in these grades.

Hammond said the WCED built 175 new classrooms through the building of schools and the expansion of existing schools, which will contribute towards the placement of learners.

Last year, the department confirmed that nine schools were set to be completed with 265 classrooms. These included Blueberry High, Leiden Junior High, Kilimanjaro High, Ashton Vocational Academy, Masifunde Primary, Happy Valley No 2, Blue Downs High, Vuyiseka High, and Darling High.

Education MEC David Maynier visited one of the new schools, Brantwood High in Kuils River, last week in preparation for the opening of schools on Wednesday.