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School admission nightmare? Here’s what to do

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We get inundated with letters from desperate parents whose children weren't accepted into nearby schools for Grade R, Grade 1 or Grade 8. 

In some cases their applications were rejected, the school made an administrative error, some parents recently moved house to another area, or they still haven't heard back from their chosen school.

Unfortunately Parent24 isn't in a position to answer these letters (we get hundreds!), but what we can do is help point you in the right direction.

So what do I do when my child's application was rejected?

Firstly, read: School admission policies

If you're sure you meet the general criteria and the school tells you they're full, here's what you do:

  • Ask the principal if the school had been officially declared full by the Education Department.
  • Ask to see the letter which says the school is full.
  • If there is no letter then the school must accept the child.
  • If the school refuses permission then contact the district office (see below).
  • If the school does have a letter then the department must find a place for the child in the nearest school to where he or she lives.

The Department of Basic Education district offices:

If your child still hasn't been accepted into a school for 2020, urgently contact your local district office, who is tasked with placing your child at a public school. 

Here are the contact details for a district office near you:

Eastern Cape: 

http://www.ecdoe.gov.za/district-offices/eastern-cape

Port Elizabeth 041 403 4588
Graaff-Reinet 049 874 0536
King Williams Town 043 605 0107
Mthatha 047 502 4206
Sterkspruit 051 611 0766
Dutywa 047 489 5043
Lusikisiki 039 253 1946
Libode 047 502 7401
East London 043 708 6253
Grahamstown 046 603 3350 
Uitenhage 041 995 4030
Fort Beaufort 046 645 7802
Mount Frere 039 255 1735
Ngcobo 047 548 1004
Maluti 039 256 0594
Qumbu 047 553 0142 
Cradock 048 801 8669
Queenstown 045 808 5708 
Butterworth 047 401 7700 
Lady Frere 047 878 0009
Cofimvaba 047 874 0536
Mbizana 039 251 0297
Mount Fletcher 039 257 0963
Bisho 040 608 4027

Free State:

http://www.education.fs.gov.za/?page_id=1566 

Mangaung Metro / Motheo 051 404 4622
Lejweleputswa 057 391 7200
Thabo Mofutsanyana 058 718 4808
Fezile Dabi 016 973 9118
Xhariep 051 404 4895

Gauteng: 

Bear in mind that schools in Gauteng do not process applications any longer. Since the launch of online enrolling, the Gauteng Department of Education has taken over the responsibility of placing learners. 

http://www.education.gpg.gov.za/ContactUs/Pages/DistrictContactDetails.aspx 

Gauteng North 012 846 3511
Gauteng West 011 660 4581 
Tshwane North 012 543 1479 
Tshwane South 012 401 6317
Tshwane West 012 701 5229 
Ekurhuleni South 011 389 6196 
Ekurhuleni North 011 746 8089
Gauteng East 011 736 0887
Sedibeng East 016 440 1787
Sedibeng West 016 594 9120 
Johannesburg East 011 666 9002 
Johannesburg North 011 694 9357
Johannesburg Central 011 247 5700 
Johannesburg South 011 247 5827
Johannesburg West 011 472 1410 

KZN: 

http://www.kzneducation.gov.za/Default.aspx?tabid=276 

Umzinyathi District Office 034 219 2100
Uthukela District036 6385200
Amajuba District: 034 3284500: Dannhauser 034 6216440: Newcastle Cmc: 0343291151
Uthungulu District
Zululand District: Switchboard: 035 8741000
Umkhanyakude District: 0355739600, 
Ilembe District: 032 439 6100
Umlazi District: 0319188500
Ugu District
Pinetown District: 031 7372000/031 7162700
Umgungundlovu District
Sisonke District: 0397973700

Limpopo: 

http://www.edu.limpopo.gov.za/ 

The Capricorn District 015 285 7300
The Mopani District 015 811 7700
The Sekhukhune District 
The Vhembe District 015 962 1331
The Waterberg District 014 718 1500
Tzaneen 015 306 1600
Tshipise-Sagole 015 977 8434
Riba Cross 013 231 0100

Mpumalanga: 

http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/education/default.asp?nav=contact 

Bohlabela 013 766 7413 
Ehlanzeni 013 766 0300
Gert Sibande 017 809 5000
Nkangala 013 947 1500

Northern Cape: 

http://ncdoe.ncpg.gov.za/index.php/about-us/contact

Frances Baard: 053 830 1600
John Taolo Gaetsewe 053 773 9200
Namakwa 027 718 8600
Pixley Ka Seme 053 632 9200
ZF Mgcawu (Siyanda) 054 337 6300 

North West: 

http://nwdesd.co.za/resources/contacts.html 

Bojanla 014 590 4800
Dr Kenneth Kuanda 018 299 8299
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati 053 928 7502 
Ngaka Modiri Molema 018 397 3002 

Western Cape: 

http://wced.pgwc.gov.za/branchIDC/Districts/Districts.html 

Metro Central 021 514 6700
Metro East 021 900 7000
Metro North 021 938 3000
Metro South 021 370 2000
Cape Winelands 023 348 4600
Eden & Central Karoo 044 803 8300
Overberg 028 214 7300
West Coast 021 860 1200

Not helped yet? Then contact the Provincial Learner Admissions Coordinator:

Eastern Cape: Ms Mtila
040 608 4344 
pulamtila@hotmail.com

Free State: Mr Thloriso Motholo
051 447 4038 
ThlorisoMotholo@gmail.com

Gauteng: Ms Sybil Paddy
011 355 0656 
Sybil.Paddy@gauteng.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal: Mr Kheswa
033 348 6115 
Sbu.kheswa@kzndoe.gov.za

Limpopo: ADV. KJ Mokgokong
015 290 9420/9388 
Mokgokongkwena@webmail.co.za

Northern Cape: Mr ABF Malunga
053 839 6808 
abfmalunga@gmail.com

North West: Dr M Teu
018 397 3097 
mteu@nwpg.gov.za

Mpumalanga: Mr BC Nkwinika
013 766 0940 
b.nkwinika@education.mpu.gov.za

Western Cape: Mr L R  Abrahams
021 467 2364 
Lance.Abrahams@westerncape.gov.za

Also see the Department of Basic Education's page on school admissions here.

Have you had difficulty enrolling your child for 2020? Please share your story by emailing chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your story. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know. Kindly note that we can not respond or give advice on individual cases.

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