Oost-Eind Primary School, 70 Meintjes Street, Trevenna, Pretoria

Laerskool Oost-Eind is a public primary school. In 2014 there were 1794 registered learners, including 139 Grade R learners. However, Parents expressed shock to Rekord about how schools in Sunnyside Pretoria were giving non-South Africans first preference when allocating learners. Sunnyside-based schools, Sunnyside Primary School, Pretoria Primary School and Laerskool Oost-Eind Primary School are being accused of giving special treatment to learners based on their parents’ nationality. It is alleged that the ‘tradition’ at schools has been going on for years. 

“We are turned away and told there is no space when we enquire about the status of our children’s admission,” said a concerned parent Maphuthi Folosha.

"But what is strange is that I could be told that there is no space for my children for a certain grade and the next day you find them taking in children who only went there to register that very same day.” Folosha said she tried to meet with the principal of Laerskool Oost-Eind Primary School last week. “I wasted time to come here only to be sent back and be told I should wait for communication from the school but nothing has been communicated to me,” said Folosha. South African parents have expressed this with the principals and the school governing bodies who have done little to accommodate children, especially those starting their first year at school. Parents from one of the Pretoria primary schools accused the school of not only admitting learners based on their nationality but being geographically excluded.

The department’s spokesperson Oupa Bodibe said: “The Constitution affords every child the right to education irrespective of nationality, race or religion. Learners are admitted to schools based on meeting the admission criteria and on a first come first serve principle.”