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WITH 99% of learners in the Northern Cape apparently already placed in schools through the online admission system, the provincial Department of Education said that all measures are in place for the 2024 academic year.
Department spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said the online admission system will be open until Tuesday, January 16, for parents who still need placement for their children.
“A total of 23,913 online applications were received. The department managed to place 99% of the applicants, while the online admission system will be operational from January 8 until January 16, 2024, for late applications. Our admission team is working around the clock to have these learners placed before the schools reopen on January 17,” said Van der Merwe.
He added that the department has ensured that it has provided schools with the needed teaching material and staff to ensure that the academic year starts smoothly.
“With regard to Learner and Teaching Support Material (LTSM), schools were provided with an option of procuring their textbooks either centrally or directly from suppliers. A total of 343 schools opted to procure their textbooks centrally. Schools placed textbook orders from August 2023. The delivery of LTSM to schools stands at 100%.
“A total of 378 posts were also advertised of which 238 posts were filled. Thirteen posts were lost due to a drop in learner numbers at schools and 118 posts are in the process of being re-advertised while nine posts are still outstanding. The department also has a total of 1,937 temporary educators in the system. The appointments are in the process of being effected to ensure that all educators are paid at the end of January 2024.”
Van der Merwe said delegates will conduct oversight visits to selected schools in the Province to ensure that the school year starts without any interruptions.
“The department has deployed members of Parliament, members of the Northern Cape executive council, members of the National Council of Province and members of the provincial legislature, accompanied by various mayors and councillors, to various schools across the Province to monitor the opening of schools on Wednesday,” Van der Merwe concluded.