26 Learners Permanently Enrolled at Addington Primary After March and March Protest Sparks National Debate on School Placements

The 26 learners who were forcefully placed at Addington Primary School on Wednesday by the March and March movement will be permanently enrolled at the school.

This was confirmed by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka during a media briefing held at the school on Thursday.

The decision followed a meeting between Hlomuka, the parents of the learners, and the school’s management.

The MEC said the number of learners requiring placement had increased from 22 to 26 by Thursday.

“The number keeps increasing. It was 15, then 22, and today it is 26. That is why we said we need to close this matter,” Hlomuka said.

He explained that some of the learners are in Grade R and will be accommodated at Addington Primary School, while others will be placed at Kleis Bruin Pre-Primary School.

“Those who are not doing Grade R will also be accommodated here at Addington,” he added.

Hlomuka also noted that learners who previously relied on scholar transport would now attend Addington Primary, easing the financial burden on parents.

“They will no longer need to transport those learners because they are now here at Addington and can walk to school,” he said.

During the briefing, the MEC praised his department for enrolling 2,918,003 learners for the 2026 academic year.

He expressed satisfaction following visits to schools across all 12 districts in the province, describing the enrolment process as smooth and successful.

Hlomuka further commended KwaZulu-Natal as the first province to reach its enrolment targets, ensuring that every eligible child had access to education.

“This achievement is the result of coordinated efforts by educators, school management teams, parents, and communities who understand that education is the foundation for a brighter future,” he said.

However, he cautioned that sustained effort was required to translate enrolment figures into improved classroom outcomes.

“Despite known fiscal challenges, the educ3ation sector is outperforming targets in various key performance areas. This gives us confidence that we can maintain our position as the best-performing province in exit results, including Matric,” Hlomuka said.

He thanked all stakeholders who worked to ensure learners were present on the first day of school, while acknowledging challenges such as funding constraints that affect learning environments.

Hlomuka also urged parents to apply early for school placements and reassured them that the department remained committed to resolving placement challenges.

In addressing ongoing protests that have disrupted teaching at some schools, the MEC said the department would not allow schools to be used as sites of conflict.

“We have a responsibility to protect everyone who enters our schools. We will not allow schools to be misused as sites of social conflict,” he said.

He condemned intimidation, violence, and actions that compromise the safety of learners, educators, and school staff, stressing that violence has no place in education.

Responding to allegations regarding the nationalities of educators and learners, Hlomuka rejected claims targeting foreign nationals, stating that the majority of undocumented learners were South African. He called for systemic solutions rather than discriminatory narratives.

Reacting to the department’s decision, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said the government should not be praised for actions it was long overdue to take.

She argued that authorities merely fulfilled their basic responsibilities and criticised claims that the school placement crisis had been resolved.

Ngobese-Zuma said relocating learners without ensuring accessible schooling or transport created new challenges.

Addressing allegations that her organisation was engaging in politics through its protest action at Addington, she denied the claims, insisting that the protest was driven solely by parents’ concerns for their children’s welfare.

She also disputed government figures regarding the number and status of unaccommodated learners.

“The government is deflecting blame instead of properly addressing the issue,” Ngobese-Zuma said.

March and March has been at the forefront of advocating for local learners who were not initially admitted to Addington Primary School.

Last week, a scuffle broke out between foreign national parents and protesters, prompting intervention by the South African Police Service (SAPS). A case was subsequently opened against Ngobese-Zuma.

On Wednesday, she laid counter-charges against the state. Initial reports suggested she was to be arrested and had handed herself over to police.

However, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda dismissed those claims.

“Ms Ngobese-Zuma was informed that a case of inciting public violence had been opened against her. The investigating officer advised that she would be contacted to provide warning statements. That is when she opened a case against the state,” Netshiunda said.

DAILY NEWS