As education authorities in South Africa’s (SA) Gauteng province work to finalise outstanding learner placements, the impact of the delays is increasingly being felt by learners themselves.
The Gauteng Department of Education says it has placed more than 95 percent of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners. However, capacity constraints continue to affect high-pressure districts including Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni in the east.
Some learners say repeated visits to district offices have yielded little progress, leaving them anxious as teaching and learning continue without them.
Learner Ndzawulo Nkhwashu remains hopeful of securing placement closer to home.
“I feel sad, lonely and disappointed because the government doesn’t help us. It is the fourth time coming here. They tell us the same thing each and every day. So it makes me feel lonely, but I feel better when I see people around here. I have hope that I will get a school near me.”
–ChannelAfrica–
