The Right to Education: Navigating School Placement Challenges in South Africa

In South Africa, education is enshrined as a fundamental human right in Section 29 of the Constitution. However, many families face significant challenges when it comes to securing school placements for their children. On Sakhisizwe Building the nation Bou die nasie we had a discussion highlighting these issues, bringing together education officials, community advocates, and legal support organizations to address the growing concern of learners on waiting lists.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Bronagh Hammond acknowledged that increased learner numbers in the province have placed tremendous pressure on the education system. Despite building new schools and adding mobile classrooms, they continue to struggle with late applications and placement challenges in specific areas.

Community advocates from various advice offices painted a different picture, highlighting what they perceive as planning failures. As Jo-Ann Muller from Mitchells Plain pointed out, "If a child is born within Mitchells Plain in a specific year, you know that child is going to go to primary school when they're five or six... There should be enough high schools to accommodate that amount of children."

One of the most pressing issues is the mismatch between primary and high school capacity. In Mitchells Plain, for example, there are approximately 64 primary schools feeding into just 17 high schools, creating a bottleneck for learners transitioning to secondary education.

The WCED cited budget constraints as a major factor, mentioning a R2.8 billion shortfall that led to reduced teaching staff and infrastructure budgets across the province. Despite these challenges, they maintain they are building schools "at a rapid pace" where funding allows.

Everyone reported communication challenges. The WCED claimed they struggle to contact parents when placement is available, while parents and community advocates countered that their attempts to help are sometimes refused. One disturbing trend mentioned was fraudulent emails claiming to be from the WCED, leading families to purchase uniforms and prepare for schools that ultimately had no place for their children.

Masi Ncube, from ProBono.org highlighted that Section 29 of the Constitution provides for an "unqualified right" to education that requires "immediate realization." He also pointed to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, which places stricter requirements on parents to ensure their children are in school, potentially leading to imprisonment for non-compliance even as placement issues persist.

Another important issue raised was the placement of children with special needs, particularly those with autism. While the WCED claims to lead the country in special needs education provision, advocates questioned whether there are sufficient specialized teachers and facilities to meet the demand.

The WCED emphasized their commitment to placing every learner who has applied, highlighting recent progress:

217 additional classrooms built last year

100+ new mobile classrooms being completed

Three new schools opening in the coming weeks

A new high school under construction in Mitchells Plain

 

However, they also acknowledged systemic challenges, including:

Limited land availability in densely populated areas

The authority of school governing bodies over admissions policies

Late applications for Grades 1 and 8 this year

While the discussion revealed clear tensions between education officials and community advocates, both sides acknowledged that addressing these challenges requires collaboration. As the WCED Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond noted in closing, "We need a combination of people, not just the education department. We need parents, community members, and social service organizations as well."

For parents currently navigating the system, the WCED's call center (0861 819 919) and district offices remain the first points of contact for placement issues, though these services are reportedly under strain during peak application periods.

As this critical conversation continues, the fundamental question remains: How can South Africa fulfil its constitutional promise of education for all when systemic challenges continue to leave thousands of learners waiting for placement.

Click on the video to hear more

Producer & Presenter: Jasnine Roberts