MZANSI schools are six weeks into the new academic year, and Blessing Sikade is among many pupils in Gauteng who still have not been placed.
The 10-year-old girl is supposed to be in grade 4 and was previously enrolled at a private school in Randburg.
But when her maternal grandmother died, she was forced to relocate to Diepsloot, north of Joburg, in January 2024 to stay with her paternal grandmother, Manke Motloutsi (68).
Speaking to Daily Sun, Blessing said the transition from the suburbs to the ekasi was not easy, but what has been harder was accepting the fact she might not go to school this year.
"I'm home and miss everything about school. I'm worried that I'm not learning anything," Blessing said.
Manke, along with other parents whose children have not been placed, said they visited several schools in Diepsloot with the hope that they would be admitted, but this has not happened.
She saw how many of these parents have had luck finding placement except for her, and this pains her because she keeps getting responses from schools that they are full.
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Manke said she feels like a failure.
"When other kids come back from school and do their homework, Blessing also tries to write with them. The next morning, when they're getting ready for school, her face changes, showing she's not okay," she said.
In the same yard where Blessing stays, another family was forced to relocate to Tshwane after struggling to find placement in Diepsloot.
Parents of an 11-year-old find themselves in the same situation as they had to move from a private school in Diepsloot to a government school due to financial issues.
"I can't afford a private school anymore, so I had no choice but move my kids to a government school," said Angie Sikwa (35).
While Angie's 16-year-old girl has found a school, she's now left with her son, who's supposed to go to grade 5.
"I'm worried that he's missing out a lot. I wonder if he'll be able to catch up," Angie said.
The parents pleaded with the department to assist them in getting schools for their kids.
Speaking on ENCA, Gauteng Education spokesman, Steve Mabona said the department has placed hundreds of pupils in the last week.
Mabona said it was the department's responsibility to ensure that children are in class.
"What we've been doing in Diepsloot is to continue placing them as they come. Because schools are full in Diepsloot, we've overstretched all the schools," Mabona said.
