Late registration woes

WITH tens of thousands of pupils returning to school yesterday, parents in several provinces were frustrated by late registration woes and undelivered pupil support material.

Twelve new schools were opened in Gauteng to address overcrowding. Two new boarding primary schools opened their doors in Mpumalanga, with mobile classrooms being delivered to areas that were recently affected by floods.

In Limpopo, schools kicked off without textbooks.

In Mpumalanga, textbooks were delivered on time to all schools and learning resumed except in areas that were affected by floods.

Provincial education spokesman Jasper Zwane said they experienced a heavy late registration influx, with reports of schools in Piet Retief, Nelspruit and eMalahleni being filled to capacity.

In Gauteng, about 3000 late applications were received across all district offices.

Charles Phahlane, the province's spokesman, said they experienced challenges from schools in Tshwane north and south districts, and from schools in the southern parts of Johannesburg, where pupils could not find space.

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane and education MEC Barbara Creecy opened a new R70-million Diepsloot Secondary School as one of the 12 schools the province opened yesterday.

Pupils in Diepsloot informal settlement in northern Johannesburg have for the past few years attended classes in dilapidated buildings. - Additional reporting by Sapa