On Monday, 9 December 2024 the Gauteng Department of Education MEC Chilome Matome held a media brief in Alberton to discuss the 2025 Grade 1 and Grade 8 placement and also about the National Senior Certificate Exams.
1. NSC Exam Completion:
- Candidates: 189,693 candidates sat for the exam, with 136,051 full-time and 53,642 part-time/repeater candidates.
- Challenges: There were isolated incidents involving cheating (e.g., impersonation and use of cell phones), but the integrity of the exams was not compromised.
- Results Timeline: Early marking was completed from November 14 to November 25, and main marking occurred from December 1 to December 13. Results will be announced on December 13 by the Minister, and provincial results will follow on December 14.
- Loss of a Marker: A marker tragically passed away in a traffic accident during the marking period, and condolences were expressed.
2. 2025 Online Admissions:
- Total Applications: 344,890 applications were received, with 165,785 for Grade 1 and 179,005 for Grade 8.
- Incomplete Applications: 8,379 applications were incomplete and were not processed.
- Grade 1 Placements: All completed Grade 1 applications (157,406) were successfully placed.
- *lGrade 8 Placements: Out of 168,452 applications, only 124 learners remain to be placed, with the rest successfully placed.
- Placement Challenges: There are sufficient spaces available, but geographic demand disparities (e.g., areas with more migration to urban centers) have created placement difficulties in certain regions.
- Late Applications: Late applications will open from December 11 to January 30, with parents required to choose available schools and submit full documentation.
3. School Readiness:
- Preparation: Over 2,000 schools are prepared with learner-teacher support material, and the procurement process is underway.
- Retrieval Rate: The retrieval of school materials is at a high rate of 96-97%.
- School Infrastructure: Over 224 million rand has been allocated for school infrastructure improvements, including the supply of ICT devices to 21,309 teachers and the deployment of 73 satellite schools.
- Learner Transport: 227,000 learners benefit from scholar transport, but there are concerns about non-roadworthy buses. Collaboration with the Department of Community Safety and Transport is essential, and parents are encouraged to report unsafe buses.
Key Messages for Parents:
- School Fees: Parents must pay fees for schools that charge them. If fees are unaffordable, they should apply to no-fee schools. The department cannot subsidize fee-paying schools.
- Late Applications and Documentation: Parents should ensure they submit complete documentation and only choose available schools during the late application process.
- Integrity and Responsibility: Parents are urged to maintain integrity in the application process, and they are encouraged to report issues such as unsafe transport or school-related concerns.
The MEC emphasized the collective responsibility of parents, schools, and the government to ensure the smooth operation of the education system.
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