The MEC for Education, Zolile Monakali, says that most of the functions of the online admission system are automated and inclusive of daily placement reports. He adds that standardised reports are now available on the online admission system, allowing for easy access to data and as such planning for the placement of the outstanding learners. Monakali says the department was able to manage and conduct all processes on the Online Admission System and all phases of the application, placement and appeals processes were communicated to parents via SMS.

“A total of 27 318 applications were received – 10 285 Grade R, 2 799 Grade 1 and 13 695 Grade 8 learners applied on the online system. The department managed to place 99% of the applicants, with only 280 unplaced learners remaining as on 10 January 2023. Our team is working around the clock to have these learners placed before 18 January 2023. With regards to the provision of teaching and learning support material, schools were provided with an option of procuring their textbooks either centrally or directly from suppliers, he adds.

According to Monakali, 545 public ordinary schools received their learning and teaching study material allocation in September 2022. A total of 555 schools in the province were issued with their 2023 Educator Staff Establishments, 518 Public Ordinary, 11 Special and 26 Full Service. He further adds that the department has a total of 1 795 temporary educators in the system and appointments are in the process of being effected to ensure that all educators are paid at the end of January 2023.

“More than 53 Funza Lushaka graduates have also been made available by the Department of Basic Education for placement in the Northern Cape province. Placements are continuously done based on the profiles of the educators,” he said.

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