As the demand for quality education continues to rise, parents and community members are being advised to exercise caution and diligence when seeking admission to private schools. In light of recent concerns regarding illegal educational institutions, the Gauteng Department of Education is urging individuals to demand Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) letters to verify the legitimacy of schools before enrolling their children.
According to Steve Mabona, the spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, one crucial indicator of a legitimate school is the possession of an EMIS certificate corresponding to its address. Mabona stressed that if a school is operating within a residential premise and lacks an EMIS certificate, it is deemed illegal under current regulations.
“The department is working tirelessly to tighten the administration of the admissions process to accommodate all learners in Gauteng,” Mabona stated. “Accordingly, we have initiated a campaign called Operation Vala, aimed at identifying and closing all illegal independent schools.”
Operation Vala represents the department’s concerted effort to root out unregistered and unauthorized educational institutions, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and safeguarding the quality of education provided to learners. Mabona emphasized that the closure of illegal schools is accompanied by measures to facilitate the placement of affected learners in reputable educational establishments.
“We want to reassure parents and guardians that the department prioritizes the welfare and education of every learner.
“Whenever illegally operating schools are shut down, we ensure that affected learners are placed in suitable alternative institutions,” said Mabona.
By Ekurhuleni News Reporter
