In a statement, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) revealed that as of Tuesday (20 December 2022), it had successfully placed approximately 99% of learners for the 2023 school year.
A total of 111 616 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners have been placed in schools thus far, which is about 50 160 more placements than what was recorded this time last year.
WCED MEC David Maynier further stated that the department was still in the process of placing at least 680, about 1%, of Grade 1 and 8 learners for the 2023 school year.
“Our officials and schools have done a phenomenal job under extreme pressure to make sure that they find a place for every child. We are leaving no stone unturned in our effort to place every learner, and we will continue to work to finalise placements for all remaining learners,” says Maynier.
Maynier explains that the education system is still under immense pressure as schools are full, and it's going to be a struggle to place learners whose parents only apply on arrival in January next year.
Furthermore¸ the MEC also shared that earlier this week WC Premier Alan Winde had joined him for a site visit to Rosendaal High School in Delft, where the construction of a new junior high school campus as part of the department’s school infrastructure delivery programme was under way.
The department’s school infrastructure delivery programme aims to deliver 842 new classrooms with at least 26 000 places for learners next year.
“We have already completed 347 classrooms, with the remaining classrooms underway. I thank all the officials, government partners, contractors and school staff who are working tirelessly to get the job done.”
Maynier says that the contractors have made great progress in a short period of time and will be working throughout the holiday season to help get classrooms ready for next year.
