Ready or not, here we go: Back to school

GEORGE NEWS - Parents of schoolgoing children are preparing themselves mentally and physically for the “back to school” rush next Wednesday, 17 January.

Mental maps of drop-offs and pick-ups are taking form, school bags are being dusted off and re-evaluated, and stationery gets some much-needed attention.

For some parents, however, these are small hurdles that don’t even bleep on their Richter’s scale, since they are dealing with a much bigger issue: whether their child will get placement at a school.

This might be the case for those who failed to apply in time for their Grade 1 learner, or those who moved town. With D-day in a week, it is a waiting game to see how this year will start for those with uncertain scenarios.

Bronagh Hammond of the Western Cape Department of Education said they’ve been working hard to ensure the placement of learners in the Garden Route.

“By 11 December 2023, all Grade 1 and 8 learners, to my knowledge, in the area had been offered a placement option. However, we are currently determining whether there have been any additional late applications over the festive period. We will also be assessing, when schools open next week, whether there are any places available at schools following the promotion and progression process. The demand for placement is mainly in the Metro regions of Cape Town currently.”

Silence before the storm: next week Wednesday 17 January classes will be filled with eager learners. Photo: Unsplash

Week ahead

Hammond said it is important that parents use this last week to prepare for the start of the school year. “Parents and guardians can prepare for the new school year by ensuring that they read all relevant documentation from the school regarding school start and end times, uniform and stationery requirements, lunch/meal requirements and extramural activity schedules (if released).”

Her advice for Grade 1 parents is to make sure children read enough at home.

“Grade 1 is an important year as it lays the foundations for reading and mathematics, growing on what had been taught in Grade R. We encourage all parents to take an active interest in their child’s education and continually promote reading activities at home!”