Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says the technical problems which parents experienced with the online pupil application system have been fixed.
Lesufi unveiled a new and improved version of the system at the provincial education department’s offices today.
In 2016 hundreds of Gauteng parents had complained about problems with the online application system which in some cases placed English speaking children in Afrikaans medium schools.
In other instances‚ parents said children were placed in schools far from home.
The education department had introduced the system as a way to make the placement of pupils more equitable.
On Tuesday Lesufi said the upgraded system would see online applications for learners in grades 1 and 8 become easier.
The system‚ which will go live in a week on May 2‚ at 8.30am‚ will now be “an interactive and easy website so that people can go through easy without difficulty”‚ Lesufi said.
Upgrades to the system will include:
* multiple languages for application‚ unlike the previous year’s system which was only available in the English language;
* a single-step process that will allow the application process to be take place from beginning to end within one session rather than the three-step process that saw duplications of applications last year;
* recognition of multiple ID number formats to allow for potential foreign learners with non-South African ID numbers to apply on the system without hassles;
* a collaboration between the department of education and the department of home affairs that will assist in the detection of fraudulent ID numbers.
In addition 65 contact centres will be opened for those who do not have access to the internet to assist with applications.
While the system has received a number of upgrades‚ two things that remain the same are that the applications are limited to grades 1 and 8 only. Like last year‚ parents will only be able to apply to schools within a 5km radius from their home or work address.
This aspect of the system is being challenged in court.
The online system will be open until midnight on June 12.
New and improved Gauteng online school application system to go live on May 2
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says the technical problems which parents experienced with the online pupil application system have been fixed.
Lesufi unveiled a new and improved version of the system at the provincial education department’s offices today.
In 2016 hundreds of Gauteng parents had complained about problems with the online application system which in some cases placed English speaking children in Afrikaans medium schools.
In other instances‚ parents said children were placed in schools far from home.
The education department had introduced the system as a way to make the placement of pupils more equitable.
On Tuesday Lesufi said the upgraded system would see online applications for learners in grades 1 and 8 become easier.
The system‚ which will go live in a week on May 2‚ at 8.30am‚ will now be “an interactive and easy website so that people can go through easy without difficulty”‚ Lesufi said.
Upgrades to the system will include:
* multiple languages for application‚ unlike the previous year’s system which was only available in the English language;
* a single-step process that will allow the application process to be take place from beginning to end within one session rather than the three-step process that saw duplications of applications last year;
* recognition of multiple ID number formats to allow for potential foreign learners with non-South African ID numbers to apply on the system without hassles;
* a collaboration between the department of education and the department of home affairs that will assist in the detection of fraudulent ID numbers.
In addition 65 contact centres will be opened for those who do not have access to the internet to assist with applications.
While the system has received a number of upgrades‚ two things that remain the same are that the applications are limited to grades 1 and 8 only. Like last year‚ parents will only be able to apply to schools within a 5km radius from their home or work address.
This aspect of the system is being challenged in court.
The online system will be open until midnight on June 12.
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