School placement systems are inadequate

WHEN schools reopen on Wednesday, the new academic year begins unevenly for learners across South Africa.

- 

For many, it heralds a return to familiar classrooms, fresh stationery, and the promise of new beginnings. Yet, for thousands of others, this year starts with uncertainty, as they await confirmation of something that should never be in doubt: a place at school.Currently, more than 23 000 learners remain without confirmed placements, with over 7 500 in the Western Cape alone, predominantly in Grade 1 and Grade 8. These critical entry points in the education system are pivotal; delays at this stage can ripple through a child's entire educational journey, affecting their academic performan