By Johannah Malogadihlare
The SA Human Rights Commission has received several complaints concerning unplaced learners in Gauteng for the 2025 academic year, and has decided to launch an investigation into the matter.
The probe will focus on the persistent issue of unplaced learners and shortage of available spaces in Gauteng schools, including at centres for learners with special educational needs.
“In line with its Constitutional mandate to ensure the realisation of human rights, the commission has been monitoring the ongoing admissions programme and has observed a significant number of unplaced learners across various districts in [the] Gauteng province,” said Gauteng SAHRC manager Zamantungwa Mbeki.
“The commission remains committed to supporting efforts to ensure every learner in Gauteng is placed in a school, despite the challenges faced, to uphold the right to a basic education and enable continued teaching and learning.”
The commission is focusing on various areas concerning the provincial education system.
They include investigating the alleged contravention of children’s rights to basic education by the provincial government, and assessing whether Gauteng and education MEC Matome Chiloane have failed in their responsibility to ensure sufficient school placements for all learners.
The commission is examining the online admission system and support mechanisms provided by the Gauteng education department to determine whether they adequately address the needs of applicants, including learners migrating into the province.
It will conduct an overview assessment on whether schools are operating at full capacity according to acceptable class sizes and teacher-to-learner ratios, and probe the number of schools closed since 2019 in comparison to the construction of new schools.
Mbeki said the SAHRC would also scrutinise the department’s obligation to urgently find places for unplaced learners without further burdening already overcrowded classrooms.
The commission has called for submissions from members of the public to help determine the full extent of the issue as part of enquiry, and urged concerned parties to submit necessary documents before 2 March.
INSIDE EDUCATION
