The electronic platform used by the Gauteng Education Department to register learners is a flagrant abuse of power not authorised by law. The e-platform in its current format constitutes discrimination against more than 300 000 learners and prospective learners in this province.

“Not only does the e-platform not comply with regulations, but it is also dysfunctional. The fact that there is no concurrent paper-based alternative means that thousands of parents will not be able to apply for enrolment of their children in their school of choice. Parents without internet access are clearly disadvantaged by the system,” says Mr Paul Colditz, CEO of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS).

The problems inherent to the e-platform were highlighted last year, but no significant changes were made. “FEDSAS is not against using an electronic platform, but the organisation is concerned about the e-platform in its current format. Discussions with officials of the Gauteng Education Department to convince them that the system cannot work were unsuccessful. Requests to discuss the matter with the Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, have gone unanswered,” says Colditz.

In an effort to avoid a large-scale education crisis FEDSAS has instructed its legal team to send a letter of demand to the Department. “FEDSAS demands that the system be suspended immediately. Alternatively the MEC must be able to guarantee that the system will be functional as well as legally compliant by Monday, 18 April 2016. If not, FEDSAS will have no alternative but to ask the court to intervene to ensure that an illegal, dysfunctional admission system is not implemented.”

“FEDSAS has gone out of its way with offers to support the Department in developing an effective electronic system. However, the Department and the MEC have ignored all communication from FEDSAS and have gone ahead with what is clearly an ineffective system,” says Colditz. Complaints from parents are streaming in and include, amongst others, that the e-platform does not allow for a choice of language. “The stipulations of the Schools’ Act and school governing bodies’ policy are not taken into account. The fact that there is no concurrent paper-based system means that there is no way to verify information. Parents whose electronic admission applications were not received due to technical issues will not be able to prove that they did go through the process.”

There is reason for concern regarding education in Gauteng. FEDSAS wants to reiterate its commitment to quality education and its willingness to work together with all role-players to achieve this goal. “However, we will not hesitate to act in instances where the rights of children are infringed upon without hesitation by government officials.”