✍🏽 PETITION TO THE GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Stop the Delayed Placement and Unequal Admission of South African Learners

Addressed to:

The Head of Department

Gauteng Department of Education (GDE)

Republic of South Africa

🧒🏽 OUR CHILDREN ARE STARTING SCHOOL LATE – THIS MUST STOP

We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned members of the public, submit this petition to express our deep concern and frustration regarding the ongoing failure to place South African children in public schools on time, resulting in many learners starting the academic year late or not being placed at all.

This situation continues despite parents submitting complete documentation and applying within official timelines set by the Gauteng Department of Education.

At the same time, there is a widespread and growing concern within communities that non-South African learners are being placed more quickly, while South African children are left on waiting lists without transparency, explanation, or timelines.

⚠️ WHY THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE

The delayed placement of South African learners:

Denies children their right to basic education

Causes emotional distress and anxiety for learners

Places children at an immediate academic disadvantage

Forces parents into financial hardship or unsafe alternatives

Undermines trust in the public education system

No child should lose weeks or months of learning due to administrative inefficiency or unfair admission practices.

⚖️ LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK (KEY REFERENCES)

This situation is inconsistent with South African law and policy, including:

📘 1. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

Section 29(1)(a):

“Everyone has the right to a basic education.”

The Constitutional Court has affirmed that this right is immediately realisable and may not be delayed, even due to resource or administrative challenges.

📘 2. South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (SASA)

Section 3(1):

Compulsory attendance for learners from age 7 to 15 (or Grade 9)

Section 5(1):

A public school must admit learners without unfair discrimination

Failure to place learners timeously undermines the purpose of compulsory education.

📘 3. Gauteng Department of Education Admissions Regulations

GDE admissions policies require that:

Placement processes be fair, transparent, and consistent

Learners not be excluded due to administrative inefficiencies

Communication with parents be clear and timely

Extended waiting periods with no resolution violate the spirit and intent of these regulations.

📘 4. Children’s Act 38 of 2005

Section 6(2):

In all matters concerning a child, the best interests of the child are paramount

Leaving children unplaced or starting school late is not in the best interests of the child.

📣 OUR DEMANDS

We respectfully and firmly call on the Gauteng Department of Education to:

Ensure immediate and fair placement of South African learners

Prevent delays that cause learners to start the academic year late

Apply admission criteria transparently and consistently

Prioritise South African citizens where capacity is limited, in line with national responsibility

Provide clear written feedback to parents regarding placement status

Investigate schools and districts where delayed placement is recurring

Hold accountable officials responsible for administrative failures

🤝 A CALL FOR FAIRNESS — NOT EXCLUSION

This petition does not promote hatred, xenophobia, or exclusion.

It is a call for fairness, accountability, and protection of South African children’s constitutional rights.

South African children must not be disadvantaged in their own public education system.

🕊️ CONCLUSION

Every day a child is kept out of school is a day of learning lost forever.

We urge the Gauteng Department of Education to act decisively and urgently to ensure that no South African child is denied timely access to education due to systemic or administrative failures.

Our children deserve better.