Gauteng online applications progressing well

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Pretoria - Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says he is satisfied with the progress his department has made with the new Online Learner Application System.

Since the system launched about a week ago, over 370 000 applications have been processed, exceeding the department’s expected 300 000 in a period of a week. This is an average of over 53 000 applications per day.

The online application period for grade 1 and 8 will close at midnight 1 June 2016.

“We have worked tirelessly to upgrade and re-programme the online application process to address challenges raised by parents. We are pleased to announce today that many challenges we have experienced with the system have been addressed and that we are generally satisfied with the progress we have made with our online application process.

“For re-enrolments and transfers between grades, parents are requested to go the relevant school to apply,” said MEC Lesufi.

Tshwane South gets highest number of applications

There are over 2 000 public schools across Gauteng. The three education districts that recorded the highest number of applicants were Tshwane South with 49 354 applications, Johannesburg East with 37 720 and Ekurhuleni North with 35 828.

Ekurhuleni South has so far received 35 537 applications, while Johannesburg Central has received 30 497. Johannesburg North has received 26 704 applications, Tshwane West 26 612, Tshwane North 21 034, Gauteng West 20 923, Johannesburg West 19 095, Johannesburg South 16 225, Gauteng East 16 839, Sedibeng West 11 370, Sedibeng East 7 266 and Gauteng North 2 759.

MEC Lesufi said the high schools that recorded the highest number of applicants for grade 8 were Pretoria Boys’ High with 1821, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool 1 804, Sir John Adamson High 1 793, Pretoria High School for Girls 1 765 and Mondeor High School 1656.

The primary schools that recorded the highest number of applicants for grade 1 were Laerskool Theresa Park with 1 544, Laerskool Akasia 1 390, Bryandale Primary School 1 294, Springdale Primary School 1 229, Mondeor Primary with 1 225, and Bryanston Primary 1 203.

“This is showing us the high pressure areas that we must work on. We are indeed overwhelmed by the response of parents who heeded our call to apply online,” he said.

He encouraged parents who have not yet applied to do so before 1 June. He, however, noted that there are parents who still experience challenges with the system, such getting an error message stating that parents’ details have already been loaded on the system; difficulties with the addresses of some parents from informal settlements, and challenges with identification documents of foreign parents.

“We request parents who are still experiencing these challenges to contact our call centre on (011) 355 000 or the toll free number 0800 000 789.  They can also visit their nearest school or district office for assistance.

“We are now in a position to better understand schools which are in high demand and districts which are experiencing pressure,” MEC Lesufi said.

He said the department is also in a better position to work with the schools and districts in the next phase of the application process to address the high demands.

Learner placement to start in June

The MEC said the placement of learners will commence from 24 June until 25 July 2016.

“During this period, schools will process learner placement online. Parents will receive an automated SMS indicating offer of placement. Letters will also be sent to parents informing them of successful and unsuccessful applications. Parents will be given a period of 7 days to accept or reject placement offers.

“We are convening a meeting with all principals in the province on 3 May 2016 to allow principals to share with us their concerns with the process, thus enabling us to better understand challenges within the system. 

“This will ensure that working directly with schools, we are better prepared for the placement period of learners and that our objective of ensuring that teaching and learning commence of the first day of the 2017 academic year is realised,” he said.

Continuous attempts to hack the system

MEC Lesufi said attempts to hack the online application website have not stopped. 

“We have now recorded over 300 attempts in the past week. All of these attempts have been unsuccessful and this gives us confidence in our system security. The objectives of those behind these attempts remain unknown to us.

“We would like to convey a special word of appreciation to every parent who has heeded our call to register their children online. Your cooperation continues to inspire us to do more to better the lives our people,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za