{"id":6425,"date":"2013-04-22T15:33:36","date_gmt":"2013-04-22T13:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=6425"},"modified":"2022-06-22T12:00:58","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T10:00:58","slug":"finding-a-school-for-grade-1-what-a-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/education\/schools-preschools\/finding-a-school-for-grade-1-what-a-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding a school for Grade 1- what a mission!"},"content":{"rendered":"

My husband and I recently moved from Durban to Joburg with our 2 little boys, one of whom is approaching Grade 1. When we started looking for a school for him we had no idea what we would have to go through. WOW what a mission, what a process!\u00a0 We\u2019re still in it and waiting. This is what we\u2019ve had to do so far:<\/p>\n

Move homes<\/h2>\n

We researched and found 2 schools we were interested in. After discovering that they only accepted pupils living within a certain km radius, we decided to move homes to be closer to the schools. Lucky for us we found one \u00a0close to both.<\/p>\n

Endless documentation<\/h2>\n

We had to fetch application packs from each school and then collect extensive documentation for both parents with certified copies of Ids, birth certificates, clinic cards, proof of residence and then initialize every page.<\/p>\n

Start queueing at 4am or camp out!<\/h2>\n

The schools set aside 3 days for submissions which they say they only accept on a first come first served basis.\u00a0This \u00a0means that if you are number 13 in the queue your child will be number 13 on the list.<\/p>\n

When I queried this with the schools, I was told most parents start lining up outside the schools from about 4 am to ensure they are first on the list<\/p>\n

So we found a family member to look after our kids while my hubby and I went to wait in line at 4am. We each chose a different school.\u00a0 When I got there I was no 3 while he \u00a0found he was no 6 in line already!<\/p>\n

I discovered that most of the other parents queueing with me had done the same as us. Their partners were also waiting in line at other schools in the region, with some who had \u00a0people \u00a0who had camped out the night before.<\/p>\n

Thank goodness the gates at the school opened for submissions at 5.30 am.\u00a0 When it was my turn however I discovered I had another questionnaire to fill out, one the Education Department had forgotten to insert in the original submissions packs.<\/p>\n

At least I managed to get it all done.\u00a0 What a relief that stage one is over<\/p>\n

Waiting game begins<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s over but its not, as we were told that we have another 4 months to wait, before we will know whether\u00a0 our son has been accepted or not.\u00a0 What happens to those who aren\u2019t?\u00a0 Do they have to start all over again?<\/p>\n

The lengths we as parents have to go to make sure we get the best for our kids. Why does it have to be so hard? What about parents that can\u2019t move houses and find someone to look after their kids so they can queue at 4am? This really doesn\u2019t seem fair<\/p>\n

What do you think and can you relate to my experience? Is it the same in other parts of the country outside of Gauteng?<\/p>\n

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