Central SA
Parents urged to cooperate as school space runs out─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:34 Tue, 27 Jan 2026
The North West department of education has taken steps to address the problem of learners who have not yet been placed in schools.
The department urged parents to accept schools allocated to them at the local education office hubs. Since registration of learners is closed, they’re now being placed where space is available.
The department has observed that many parents are rejecting the schools where their children have been placed, said provincial spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule. In some cases, they return to the hubs to request placement at other schools.
Rustenburg, Potchefstroom, and Mahikeng local education offices have become hotspots, with large numbers of parents visiting daily in search of school placements. Officials work tirelessly to assist parents by placing learners in available schools, said Mantshule.
Meanwhile North West education MEC Viola Motsumi urged parents to cooperate and work with departmental officials. “On behalf of the department, I would like to plead with all parents who are still seeking school placements to cooperate and work with departmental officials at the hubs.
“One of the challenges we are experiencing is that some parents continue to demand schools of their choice. I would like to inform them that schools of choice are no longer available, as they are already full.”
The Constitution emphasises every learner has the right to education, she added. “Therefore, we are doing our utmost to place all learners in schools where space is available.”
Parents were advised against moving learners to different schools solely due to failure. Instead, they’re encouraged to work with educators to assess the learner’s current subject profile.
In 2022, Motsumi had highlighted significant progress in keeping children in school, especially in historically disadvantaged communities.
“We are not complaining about overcrowding because it shows that we have reduced dropouts from schools. It means people are starting to have an interest in education; it means we are producing more learners.
“This is why we are experiencing overcrowding. As much as it’s a challenge, we must view it as a sign we are doing something about dropouts,” said Motsumi.
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