Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi announced on Sunday 12 May that the 2020 Online admissions are postponed until 20 May. This comes after the Federation of Associations of Governing Bodies of South Africa (FEDSAS), Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysunie (SAOU) and other SGB associations raised concerns with the department regarding various aspects of the system.

According to the department, a major concern for parents is the system’s failure to make provisions for language.

Even though the system provides parents with five options to choose from when applying, there is a concern that a school geographically located closest to the parent’s residential address is provided as a primary choice. This while not considering the language of teaching and learning in that school.

Lesufi said these organisations pleaded with the department to delay the opening of the admissions because “they believe that it is necessary to heighten greater awareness on the changes in legislation and admissions processes for public benefit”.

A letter sent to the department of education by a law firm representing Afriforum states “when determining feeder zones no regard is given to language preference of learners as language of learning and teaching (LOLT) or language policies of schools as LOLT when parents or legal guardians are offered the opportunity to apply to a school of choice”.

This means that when parents apply, there is no indication on the system of a school’s LOLT.

Lesufi added that the department did engage thoroughly with all schools involved before the amended feeder zones legislation was published.

Furthermore, the department acknowledges that some functions of the system are flawed.

“There is one valid point that they tabled that I shared their frustration with. Sometimes the system picks up a school that is outside the feeder zone area that we have legislated. And they are requesting that we review that component,” Lesufi said.

Since the technical issue was raised, Lesufi said the HOD convened a meeting with FEDSAS and the technical team of the department to rectify that component, which has since been corrected.

Lesufi did, however, assert that even though it may seem like these objections are being raised mainly by Conservative Afrikaner rights groups in a ploy to maintain their status quo, the department will not give room to people who want to destabilise.

“If they want us to postpone the online registration so that they can engage us fairly, we are willing to do that. We are willing if they are genuine because there is nothing to hide. I advised the HOD that we must accommodate that and not be seen as people who do not want to negotiate,” said Lesufi.

Additionally, the department says it will consider the grievances after consulting with the parties concerned.

The system will still be accessible to allow parents to familiarise themselves with it but they will not be able to submit an application. DM