Cape Town parents of unplaced pupils opt to use their homes as classrooms

• Parents of unplaced pupils in Forest Village, Cape Town, have taken the decision to use their homes as classrooms.
• This to cater for their unplaced children during the cold winter months.
• The provincial education department said if true, it was unfortunate parents had to go this route because there was an option for their children to attend a legal public school.

The parents of unplaced pupils in Forest Village, Cape Town, have taken the decision to use their homes as classrooms to cater for their children during the cold winter months.

This follows an ongoing battle between the Western Cape education department and parents.

A parent and chairperson of the task team in Forest Village, Noliziwe Ndikandika, told News24 they had taken this decision as they felt the department had no interest in building a school in the area, and with winter being here.

"It is getting very cold and our children can no longer learn outside in the open," Ndikandika said.

"My seven-year-old son, who's suppose to be in Grade 1, gets very excited whenever it rains because he knows that means he won't have to go to school and his friends won't laugh at him for not attending a proper school," she added.

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Ndikandika said the department had failed her child.

Unplaced pupils lining up outside before class starts (Supplied)

"The whole experience has been traumatic for these children," he added.

"Each day, they see their peers going to proper schools while they carry crates and walk to their learning spot."

Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said officials had gone to the spot on Tuesday, but there were no pupils. 

"When this was reported to us yesterday, we investigated and no learners were present. If the pictures that have been provided are accurate, then it is most unfortunate that parents continue to send their children there despite the option to attend a legal public school being made available to them," she added.

Said Ndikandika: "We saw the department's vehicle yesterday, but it was cold and we decided that on rainy or very cold days, no learning should take place."

Meanwhile, last Saturday, the Department of Basic Education announced all primary school pupils were expected to return to normal daily attendance from 26 July.

Admissions for the 2022 academic year

On Wednesday, the education department said the initial round of placements at Western Cape schools was currently underway.

Schools made the application results available to parents last week.

However, some have not yet received an offer from any of the schools they applied to, leaving many concerned they would not find a place for their children," Education MEC Debbie Schafer said.

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She urged parents to remain calm. 

"This is only the very first round of offers, and not receiving one at this stage doesn't mean your child will not have a place at any school next year."

Currently, parents, who have received offers, have until 25 June 2021 to confirm their final choice.

Offers will continue to be made as schools to get a clearer picture of how many places they have left.