New School Feeder Zone Regulations to Ensure Fair Access

The new school feeder zone regulations announced by the Gauteng Education Department (GDE) will ensure fair access to schools, says MEC Panyaza Lesufi.Making the announcement on Sunday, Lesufi said the new regulations mean that children will not be discriminated against based on where they live.

"Approval of the said regulations implies that our schools will be easily transformed and as such learners will access quality education and be treated the same way and which will also necessitate same opportunities," said Lesufi. According to the MEC, the key changes in the regulations are: To affirm the power of the HOD to administer admissions in the province.

Outlaws all forms of unfair discrimination. Delegates the authority of determining feeder zones to the department.

Enables the management of admissions in entry phase grades through an online admissions process. Finally, there are technical adjustments to bring it in line with court case judgement.

It clarifies criteria of placement of learners. Following the approval of the regulations by the Gauteng Legislature, the GDE will gazette the amendments to the admissions regulations.

"The commencement of the amended regulations will be effective from the date of publication. The 2020 admissions process will be conducted under the provisions of the amended admission regulations," said Lesufi.

The consultative process for the feeder zone determination was accommodative to everyone who participated. The MEC established a feeder zone task team, consisting of officials from GDE and external stakeholders representing Governing Body Associations (NASGB, FEDSAS and GBF) STATSSA Equal Education Premiers Office (Spatial Planning) GCRA and the Municipal Demarcation Board participated.

Accordingly, about 2 067 maps were finalised and published. However, about 334 schools contested their proposed feeder zones, and fortunately their concerns were addressed.

"We must emphasise that the adjudicating process was in favour of 90 percent of schools that contested and recommended adjustments, which were implemented...