’Plain schools 100% ready

Mitchell’s Plain schools have given a thumbs up for the academic year, which started today, Wednesday January 18, but asked for parents’ commitment and involvement in ensuring discipline.

This was the request from AZ Berman Primary school deputy principal, Lawrence Pretorius.

“School is about delivering quality curriculum service. In order for learners to succeed, we provide an academic programme and effective teaching and learning can only take place in a very disciplined environment,” he said.

As a no-fees school, all stationery and books are provided by the school.

“All we need is the commitment from learners to be punctual and in school every day.

“Learners should respect their fellow learners, teachers and support staff; and adhere to instructions. Do not litter, graffiti, swear or steal,” he said.

Mr Pretorius asked parents for their involvement and commitment to instil discipline in their children.

“We are absolutely 100 percent ready for this academic year,” he said.

Tafelsig Primary School principal Ruth Jonas said admissions are closed and that every registered pupil has a seat.

The school’s Grade R and Grade 1 pupils attended an orientation programme yesterday, Tuesday January 17.

The Tafelsig school received 356 applications but could only accommodate 60 pupils.

They now have two Grade R classes with 70 pupils and have four Grade 1 classes with 120 pupils.

The school has 1 146 pupils registered and will check during the coming days whether they can bump it up by 34 places.

Ms Jonas said that they do not have classroom space for an extra teacher but needed support in freeing up heads of department and deputy principals servicing complete timetables.

She said school governing body (SGB) posts were limited as the community could ill afford these additional funds.

“In terms of everything else, seats, stationery and books; we are prepared for their arrival,” she said.

Ms Jonas warned that load shedding affects communication at and with the school. During a power outage their phone lines are down, this would include the wi-fi and landline; they cannot ring their bell and they do not have a sound system for assembly.

“So, in cases of emergency it is difficult to get word out,” she said.

Millicent Merton, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), said that 800 Grade 8 and Grade 9 pupils would be accommodated at two new schools each in Tafelsig and Colorado Park this year.

Mitchell’s Plain, bordered by the R300, Swartklip Road, Baden Powell Drive and Old Strandfontein Road, has 45 primary schools and 19 secondary schools.

Ms Merton said approximately 7 300 Grade R and 15 600 Grade 8 pupils were registered for this academic year.

“We are not able to give you exact and accurate numbers until after the tenth school day,” she said.

She said that each school had its own requirements in terms of uniform and stationery.

“All learners require basic stationery items, such as writing books, pens, pencils, etc, for learning purposes,” she said.

The provision of stationery to pupils is either funded by the school’s Norms and Standards funding, which is applicable to non-section 21 schools, whose budgets are administered by the district office, only.

Some schools request parents to procure stationery in terms of their requirements at a cost to parents as per a prescribed list.

An online stationery ordering process is available for non-section 21 schools to order stationery requirements for the following school year.

This is done during May or June of each year to ensure that delivery is finalised by December of each year in readiness for the coming new school year.

Ms Merton said that for the financial year 2022/2023 – R39.5 million had been spent on stationery goods.

The SGB decides on the uniform, having taken into account the community they serve.

Schools also need to adhere to the requirements of the Competition Commission, in that preferably school uniforms should be as generic as possible such that it is obtainable from many suppliers.

“There may be circumstances where parents find it difficult to buy a uniform. Some parents simply cannot afford to do so. We suggest that parents discuss this issue with the school in these circumstances so that an agreement can be reached to accommodate the needs of the child,” she said.

Ms Merton said parents still requiring placement must contact their relevant education district office immediately.

Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for Education MEC David Maynier, said that while the department was ready for the school year, the education system in terms of placement was still under severe admission pressure.

“It is very difficult to place learners at this extremely late stage, and parents arriving now must be prepared for a delay in the placement of their children,” she said.

Applications for Grade 1 and 8 pupils received after April last year were considered as late applications.

“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 placement for all remaining learners,” said Ms Mauchline.

She urged parents not to queue outside schools with the expectation of being accepted to their school of choice.

“Our schools are full, and while they may be able to assist with completing applications, the district office will assist with placement centrally,” she said.