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The South African Human Rights Commission’s (Commission) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) is concerned at reports that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) expects to have the mammoth task of placing 18000 unplaced learners in schools at the start of the school year.

Following budget reductions across all state funded institutions and departments, plans to build schools to meet the expected demand could not be carried out. As a result, the annual drive to assist in placing learners from other provinces wishing to attend schools in the Western Cape and late applicants from the Western Cape will be even more difficult than usual.  

The current fiscal climate, which has entailed belt tightening across the board, has far reaching implications. The WCPO will continue its monitoring of the placement process and intervene where threats to the enjoyment of the right to education are detected. The WCPO urges parents to ensure that they have followed all the processes of the WCED concerning the placement of learners.

Where applications have been timeously made on the online portal and the placement of the learner has been delayed, the parents must ensure that they reach out to the district offices as soon as possible. Where applications have not been made on the online portal before the cut off date, a manual application via the designated officials, whose details can be obtained from the online portal, must be completed as soon as possible. 

The WCPO has monitored learner placement over a number of years and has recognised the efficiency of the process which has been put in place by the WCED. This process has ensured placement of learners over the last few years. Noting however that this year there is additional strain brought about by the budget cuts, parents are cautioned to be mindful of the potential impact that this will have on timeframes for placement.

In the absence of the additional planned classroom capacity, which was to have accommodated this additional demand, the WCED will have a hard task before it to ensure learner placement while complying with safety regulations and standards to ensure not only placement, but safe placement which is conducive to optimal teaching and learning. 

Parents and learners are urged to exercise patience and provide full co-operation to officials of the WCED who, due to circumstances, have to place learners amidst disrupted plans. Mindful of the extreme challenge which lies ahead, the WCPO of the Commission offers its support and encouragement to all role players and concerned parties.

Our Constitution speaks of co-operative governance and as active and concerned citizens we should all do our part to ensure that the process of learner placement is facilitated by this co-operation and support to the officials who are best placed to make the decisions required.   

The WCPO will monitor the process carefully to determine if any intervention is required and to ensure strict compliance with all of the WCED processes so that all applicants are treated fairly. Staff and Human Rights Champions of the WCPO will be at various schools to monitor the start of year process and assist with identifying any blockages. As always the WCPO remains available to receive complaints relating to violations of or threats to the right to education. Persons wishing to loge complaints may do so by lodging their complaint in person at 3rd Floor, 1 Thibault, Cnr Long and Heerengracht Streets, Cape Town central, via telephone on 021 426 2277, or via email WCComplaints@sahrc.org.za

For purposes of facilitating speedy attendance to complaints, parents or interested persons wishing to lodge a complaint with the WCPO are advised to bring along or provide proof of their online application to at least three schools, and, proof of follow ups with the district office. This will enable the WCPO to engage the relevant officials at the WCED in an efficient manner by being in a position to provide all relevant information.  

Issued by SAHRC