Groups of desperate parents formed queues outside some schools in Gauteng yesterday in a last-ditch effort to secure placement for their children ahead of schools reopening next week.
The first 50% cohort of pupils are expected to return to class for the first time this year when schools reopen on Monday.
Some school staff had their hands full trying to help parents who were looking for spaces for their children.
At Itirele-Zenzele Comprehensive School and Muzomuhle Primary in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, there were a few parents who were looking for space for their children.
At Bona Comprehensive School one of the teachers said even though everything was in place they were still waiting for sanitisers and soap for pupils.
“Today we were giving pupils their stationery packets and we also included their masks. We are waiting for the delivery of sanitisers and soap,” said a teacher who asked not to be named.
At Pimville Primary School one of the teachers said they were helping parents with last-minute registrations, otherwise they were ready for Monday. However, there were still parents who complained that their children were not placed.
Parent Malebo Motlhoki said a number of pupils who applied online for grades 1 and 8 were still not placed.
“We are a group of parents who are worried about our children who have not been placed. Our kids might not start the academic year with others and we have not even bought stationery or school uniform,” Motlhoki said.
Tim Hlongwane, the South African Principals Association Gauteng president, said there were no major hiccups at schools.
“We met with the head of department and MEC Panyaza Lesufi on Wednesday and everything is going according to plan. About 80% of schools have received their personal protective equipment (PPE) and the rest will be delivered on Friday.”
Teacher unions are optimistic about the reopening of schools.
Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA (Naptosa) said the schools were in a better space than they were at the beginning of Covid-19.
“We are concerned that minister Angie Motshekga will only address the public on Sunday about reopening of schools. We are concerned with the delivery of PPEs and scholar transport is still the issue,” he said.
SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said pupils wanted to go back to school.
“The schools are doing what they can to prepare for the return of 50% on Monday. We will continue assessing the challenges school by school. We will also look at our survey with the other unions and engage government on creating a healthy and safe environment,” Maluleke said.
Last week, provincial spokesperson Steve Mabona said an additional 80 mobile classrooms would be delivered to schools with space to accommodate unplaced applicants.
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