Question NW3741 to the Minister of Basic Education
01 December 2023 - NW3741
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the state of readiness of her department for new learners who will be starting Grade (i) 1 and (ii) 8 in 2024 and (b) measures have been put in place to ensure that all learners are placed in schools and that no learners are left behind in each province?
Reply:
a) All primary schools and secondary schools started preparing for admissions of grade 1 and 8 respectively, as early as the beginning of term two in 2023. By October 2023, reports on placements from Provinces indicated that almost 65% of learners in the two grades have been placed.
b) The Department is receiving accumulative statistics on placements from provinces on a monthly basis as from October 2023. Different forms of advocacy have been employed by provinces to let parents apply for placements. There are dedicated officials per province assigned to handle learner admissions. Schools have been directed via Circulars on managing learner placements. The DBE holds meetings with provinces to deliberate on matters pertaining to learner admissions.