Education Activist Calls for Action on ‘Ghost Pupils’ to Ensure Fair School Admissions

by Thabiso Rakgaka

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As the new school year begins, concerns over ghost pupils have surfaced, particularly in Gauteng, where grade 1 and 8 placements have become a contentious issue. The term “ghost pupils” refers to students who are enrolled in schools but do not attend, often inflating enrolment statistics and distorting resource allocation.

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has raised alarm over this growing practice, urging both schools and the Department of Basic Education to take immediate action to address the issue. Makaneta argues that the issue of ghost enrolments is not only unfair but also prevents deserving students, particularly those on waiting lists, from securing a spot at schools.

β€œEducation is a constitutional right, and we must ensure that every available space is used effectively,” Makaneta stressed. β€œWhen a pupil fails to return to school, it is the responsibility of the school management to promptly contact parents or guardians to confirm whether the child will be returning. If it’s confirmed that the pupil won’t be coming back, the space should be reallocated to a waiting pupil immediately.”

Makaneta explained that ghost enrolments undermine the allocation of resources such as classroom space, teaching staff, and funding, which ultimately affects the quality of education for all students. He called for a proactive approach, where schools ensure that all enrolment numbers accurately reflect actual attendance.

β€œThe practice of ghost enrolment skews class sizes, impacts resource distribution, and undermines the quality of education. This is a problem that needs to be addressed head-on,” he said.

Makaneta further called on the Department of Basic Education to implement clear, enforceable guidelines that would govern pupil enrolment and absenteeism. He emphasized the need for collaboration between parents, schools, and education authorities to ensure that no child is denied access to education due to administrative inefficiencies.

β€œWe must all work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive the education they deserve,” he concluded.

As the issue of ghost pupils continues to affect many schools, particularly in urban areas, the call for systemic changes to enrolment processes grows louder. With education being a fundamental right, it is crucial that schools take action to ensure fairness and transparency in admissions.

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