Veronica Makhoali17 January 2024 | 8:49

GP education MEC Chiloane criticises parents' pushback after children placed in township schools

The MEC said parents needed to accept their children’s placements, as the Gauteng Education Department had been batting with a placement backlog.

GP education MEC Chiloane criticises parents' pushback after children placed in township schools

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane. Picture: X/@EducationGP1

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane has criticised parents who refused admission to township schools as the department grapples with a placement backlog.

The MEC came to the defence of some schools in historically disadvantaged areas while urging parents to accept their children's placements.

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Many parents queued at education district offices contesting admissions at various schools.

Meanwhile, opposition parties raised concerns over some schools allegedly still waiting for learning materials.

The Democratic Alliance’s Baxolile Nodada has called for Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga's head over her supposed failure to raise the quality of South Africa's education system.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said the shortage of classrooms was an infringement on the rights of young people.

“As we have seen in the previous years, many will be left disappointed as they struggle to attain placements. The destruction of our education system in South Africa is the biggest crime committed by our unpatriotic government.”

Over 21,000 children are yet placed in schools, with the department saying applications for grades 1 and 8 remain open until the end of January.