While two months remain before the 2023 academic begins, many parents are preparing for the day when schools reopen in January. The preparation for the 2023 academic year began when online school applications systems went online and began accepting learner placement applications.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has revealed that several factors are considered by school online application systems to determine which school a learner will attend. This includes proximity to the schools, the preference of parents, and available space.
The DBE was quizzed in parliament regarding the mechanisms they put in place to ensure that the online application system for school placements does not only take into account where the learner lives.
They were also questioned about whether or not the preference of the parent is taken into account when learner placement is decided upon. While the online application process and systems may differ from province to province, they have similarities as to the qualification criteria.
Factors that are considered centre around where a learner lives. This includes evaluating which school services the community the learner lives in. The parents' place of work is also considered in the learner placement process.
However, the preference of the parent is not a determining factor as to where the learner will ultimately attend school.
“The online system prioritises place of residence, primary feeder school, and place of work and not a parental choice for placement of learners” explained the education department.
The DBE said only once all the qualifying learners have been placed, parental choice is considered.
