Late school admissions KZN 2026: Education department's advice for parents seeking placement

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) is urging parents dealing with issues with school admissions and transfers to approach their district and circuit offices for assistance.

KZN DoE head of communication Muzi Mahlambi said: “We are directing people who are struggling to have their learner placed to our offices. Be it an issue of a school in KwaMakhutha, in kwaManguzi or Addington Primary, or any other school that is affected within the province. We are directing everyone to go to our district office, our circuit offices. They will be assisted.”

The department's response comes after several parents gathered at Addington Primary in the Durban CBD this week complaining that their children had not been placed. The issue led to tensions as it was alleged that the children of foreign nationals had been admitted to the school while South African children had been excluded.

Local organisation March and March staged a protest at Addington Primary School over the admission of foreign national children. The organisation has argued that school places should be prioritised for South African children.   

It was reported by IOL that Zethembiso Mthembu, who has also been going to the school for months, said that on Wednesday, parents were made to write their children's names on a list but not briefed as to what would come next.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has previously emphasised that South African Schools Act (SASA), as amended by the BELA Act of 2024, which obliges public schools to admit learners and provide education without discrimination.

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