Dear Siviwe

I am trying to exhaust all avenues to either reach your office or receive some assistance. It is week 3 and we have not received an update.
My son is meant to be in grade 8 this year - all applications were done on time.

I appealed this decision through the WCED and was referred to Melissa Lodewyks at 021 370 2000, but despite numerous attempts, I received no response as the phone was never answered. I submitted a follow-up appeal via the WCED portal and was referred to Gregory Kannemeyer. Again, my calls went unanswered. In frustration, I eventually took leave from work to visit the WCED offices before the school closure, only to be told that WCED could not assist me further. Instead, I was advised to appeal directly to nearby schools.

The WCED system shows that my son was placed at Gateway, a school that appears to be the default option for unsuccessful applicants, given the feedback I’ve received from other parents. This school does not even have a website, raising significant concerns about the quality of education provided.

To add to my frustration, I am aware of families living outside the school district who were accepted into both schools my children applied for. Meanwhile, we are now just one day away from schools reopening, and my children remain without suitable placements.

I urgently request your assistance in addressing this matter and ensuring my children are placed in schools that align with their academic, social, and extracurricular needs.