The provincial Education Department says it is important for learners to return old books to schools as they progress to their next grades. Departmental spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, says preparation for the 2021 academic year is already underway and that the retrieval of textbooks is part of those preparations. He says they aim to ensure that all learners are placed in schools come January, and that schools are provided with all the necessary learning and teaching material.

OFM previously reported that the department is in the process of sending out text messages to parents and guardians to confirm placement for schools following online applications. Van der Merwe said this was to avoid delays and forms part of new measures taken to ensure that no learner is without a school come January 2021.
 
He said they are pleased that hundreds of parents and guardians made use on the online school application platform.

OFM News previously reported that schools in the Frances Baard and John Taolo Gaetsewe Districts have for years been amongst those that experience an influx of learners in January, with the majority of them struggling to find placement.

Van der Merwe said they launched an online application system in efforts to address this challenge, and the allocation of learning material to various schools will now take place before January.

OFM News