Parents still battling to get kids in schools

The Mitchell’s Plain Community Advice and Development Project is still battling to get more than a dozen children in schools.

The MPCADP had a follow-up meeting with parents and pupils on Wednesday February 26. Parents and guardians say they are frustrated with trying to get their children placed at schools ("Battle for place in class" Plainsman February 12).

However, Western Cape education spokesperson Kerry Mauchline said some parents have asked for transfers, meaning the pupils are already in schools. Others never applied, making placement impossible.

“We urge unresponsive parents to visit the district office if they cannot receive communication by phone or email.”

Applications for the new school year, 2026, opened on Tuesday March 11 and will close on Tuesday April 15.

Human rights co-ordinator and paralegal at MPCADP, Joanne Muller said the WCED did not attend their meeting after they invited them, so that they could communicate with parents and guardians directly.

Chairperson of MPCADP, Jerimia Thuynsma said that parents do not always follow the necessary processes, but some procedures must be respected. 

“Our organisation, along with information given by parents and their children, have been compiling lists of unplaced children and sending them to WCED to ensure that every child is accounted for and that authorities are aware of the extent of the crisis,” he said.

Out of the 97 names submitted to WCED for follow up, 35 pupils have been placed, 16 placements are still in progress, six names were duplicates, one pupil was from a different district, 10 pupils had incorrect details, eight pupils didn’t apply, 18 pupils needed to be assessed, three pupils were placed but did not report to school.

Mr Thuynsma said MPCADP said that, since January, there have been efforts to engage the department, with one meeting already held, but follow-up efforts have stalled. Some are still at home months into the school year.

Ms Muller, confirmed on Wednesday February 5, that the WCED asked for a list of the 30 unplaced children. The department needed their full details such as names, ID numbers, grade levels, and contact information. An updated list of 97 names was submitted, and WCED responded with a list of placements.

Ms Mauchline said they have repeatedly asked parents to update their contact details since they are not answering calls or emails. 

At the meeting on Wednesday February 26, Felicia Linders, 44, from Eastridge, said she applied for her child in 2023 but her child was removed from the system and remains unplaced because of missing documents. She then went to the education department and was told her child needed an assessment because of their age but received no more information after that.

Juliet Smith, 52, from Eastridge said her nephews should be in grades 8, 9 and 10. Two of them attended the meeting in school uniform.

“We came to the meeting for answers on placements. We’ve visited the neighbouring schools in our area but they’re all full. We’re really struggling to get them their education.”

Their mother couldn’t attend the meeting due to work, said Ms Smith.

“It is sad that parents have to go through this hardship to place their children. Does the government want our kids to become drop-outs and remain idle? That’s how gangs tend to recruit people,” said Ms Smith.

Ms Mauchline said: “Pupils cannot be placed via third parties, such as organisations or the media. Parents engage directly with the district to submit applications and receive placement offers.”

For more information,visit the WCED website for applications or visit your nearest district office.