Follow-up on learner admissions, racial profiling and court ruling outcomes; with the Minister

Video The Portfolio Committee convened to engage with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Equal Education, and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on issues relating to learner admissions and the placement of learners not attending school, with particular focus on reports of unplaced learners in the Western Cape. The meeting was dominated by urgent concerns raised by the Chairperson regarding learners who were reportedly not attending school, some for extended periods. She stressed that the issue represented a serious access-to-education crisis, and required immediate intervention beyond political considerations. She asked the Minister for education in the Western Cape whether the provincial department was aware of learners who remained unplaced, and whether systems existed to monitor and resolve such cases. She repeatedly emphasised the need for accurate data, accountability, and a tracking provincial ministerhanism for admissions and placements. The Minister responded that while admissions pressure existed due to ongoing applications throughout the year, including transfers and inter-provincial migration, he could not provide immediate figures on unplaced learners. He indicated that the Department would need to review its systems, and committed to providing a written response. He also requested that Equal Education provide detailed lists of affected learners, including identifying information, to enable case-by-case verification and placement support. The PROVINCIAL MINISTERalso highlighted broader systemic challenges, including migration pressures and infrastructure constraints, and referred to ongoing efforts to expand school capacity through infrastructure investment. Equal Education contested the Department’s position, stating that it had repeatedly submitted lists of unplaced learners through formal correspondence and legal channels. The organisation accused the Department of failing to act timeously on reported cases, and argued that responsibility for placement lay with the provincial education authority, not civil society organisations. It also raised concerns about delays in communication and alleged systemic neglect of affected learners in vulnerable communities. Committee Members contributed divergent views. Some Members supported the need for improved data systems, written reporting, and clearer breakdowns of the learner placement status, including transfers, grade-levels, and new applications. Others directly challenged the Provincial Minister, citing figures of approximately 277 unplaced learners, and calling for urgent intervention. Concerns were raised about whether the Department adequately tracked admissions data in real time. The Chairperson directed that Equal Education resubmit its list of affected learners within seven working days and instructed the Provincial Ministerto provide a comprehensive written report within the same timeframe. The report was required to include the status of identified learners, placement progress, and demographic and administrative breakdowns of remaining unplaced cases. She stressed that the inability to provide accurate real-time statistics on such a critical issue was unacceptable, given its implications for the constitutional right to education. The Minister of Basic Education intervened to clarify national policy processes, particularly the finalisation of admissions and capacity regulations. She confirmed that the public participation process had concluded, and that over 10 000 submissions had been received. She explained that these inputs were being incorporated before the regulations proceeded to formal intergovernmental structures, and assured the Committee that the process was being expedited. The discussion became increasingly contentious at points, with Equal Education raising strong criticism of the Department’s responsiveness and alleging systemic disregard for affected communities. Some Committee Members also expressed frustration with the Provincial Minister’s responses, arguing that they lacked sufficient specificity and accountability. The Chairperson ultimately emphasised the need for improved accountability, better engagement practices, and more structured reporting provincial ministerhanisms between the Department and Parliament. She noted that frequent procedural and administrative disruptions had undermined the efficiency of oversight work. As a result, the Committee resolved to defer the Department’s fourth quarter performance report to the next meeting to allow sufficient time for proper consideration.