By Everson Luhanga
At least 200 children in Diepsloot have not been able to find a place at local schools and have already lost almost three months of learning.
Every week, from Monday to Friday, anxious and frustrated parents wait outside the seven local schools hoping officials will admit their children.
Angry parents and leaders of the community in the troubled Gauteng township told Scrolla.Africa about their frustration at having to keep their children at home when they should be in school.
Veronica Netshvhambe said she has been trying since January to get a place for her daughter.
“I have been at the district offices and even tried to phone the provincial department of education, but I can’t find a space for my daughter.”
Community leader Loyiso Toyiya said about 800 children have been placed in schools temporarily but await permanent places.
“Another 200 children cannot even find a temporary school and they are waiting at home for an opportunity,” he said.
“The situation is dire. Parents are losing hope of their children getting to go to school.”
Toyiya said Diepsloot needs two more schools to properly accommodate all the children in the township.
The Gauteng education department has confirmed there is overcrowding in Diepsloot schools.
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said: “The … admissions process for new inner-grade learners in Diepsloot is ongoing due to an influx of applications in the area.”
Mabona said the department has admitted over 100 learners, most of whom were placed in neighbouring schools.
“This has led to overcrowding. All schools in Diepsloot have been at full capacity for quite some time now,” he said.
Mabona said the department is in the process of opening a satellite school in Diepsloot to relieve the pressure.
“Catch-up programmes will be implemented accordingly for new learners. We appeal to parents to be patient as we continue the process of placing all learners,” he said.
Pictured above: Diepsloot parents protest outside a school.
Image source: Supplied
