Overcrowded classrooms: 76 learners in one class at Zeekoevlei Primary
It is alleged that 76 learners are crammed into one classroom at Zeekoevlei Primary.
Image: Supplied
The new school year is off to a rocky start after an education watchdog spilled the beans that 76 children were crammed into one classroom at Zeekoevlei Primary School.
As schools opened for the 2026 school year this week, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)'s Millicent Merton confirmed there were currently 34 231 teachers employed in the province.
She explained the provincial teacher to learner ratio is 1:36 (for public ordinary schools).
Parents for Equal Education (Peesa) founder Vanessa le Roux shared a post with claims of overcrowding on Facebook.
According to her, a parent of a Grade 7 learner said that due to a School Governing Body (SGB) post cut there are just two teachers who must teach nine subjects. And as a result of this 76 children are in one Afrikaans classroom.
Le Roux wrote: I received a call from a parent of Zeekoevlei Primary, who asked how can it be OK? Her child is in Grade 7 and they are allegedly 76 children in one class, for the Afrikaans subject.
“Are these people out of their minds. Where is the School Governing Body? What do they expect from the teachers?”
The parent added: “The Afrikaans class has 76 learners. The Grade 7 learners have nine subjects with two teachers who must teach all nine subjects.
“I am very disappointed, the children are not being put first, you can clearly see that, if you put 76 children in a class then you don’t put children first.”
When the Cape Argus sister newspaper, the Daily Voice reached out to the WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed there are challenges related to class structures, which was being addressed.
Hammond explained: “This matter is being resolved as we speak. Our district staff are currently at the school to address it.
“The WCED district officials visited the school on Tuesday and identified challenges related to class structures and timetabling.
“Following the conclusion of an School Governing Board-funded post at the end of last year, the school now requires an additional Afrikaans class in Grade 7 to accommodate learners effectively.
“The WCED is actively supporting the school in restructuring its programme to address this need.
“The qualifications of all educators have been reviewed, and a meeting is scheduled for this afternoon to explore available options and adjust the timetable accordingly.
“The matter is expected to be resolved within this week.”
The SGB told the Cape Argus in response to the claims, that they were unaware of the teachers' capacity issues at the school and were left in the dark regarding decisions made around it. They said they were keen to issue a statement on the matter soon, to bring clarity on the situation.
Earlier the WCED said it successfully placed 180 960 (96% of) learners for whom applications were received for Grade R, 1, and 8 for the current school year. Placement is still in progress for 7 540 learners in these grades.
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