Limpopo Education Department
By Karabo Marifi
The Limpopo Education Department is deploying mobile classrooms to expedite the placement of pupils who remain unassigned due to a shortage of permanent classrooms. This initiative aims to address the pressing need for adequate learning spaces in the province, ensuring that every qualifying learner has access to education.
Significant progress has been made in Polokwane, where the number of unplaced pupils has decreased from 816 to 246. Despite the initial admission deadline passing last Wednesday, the department continues to process late applications, appeals, and requests from families who have recently relocated.
Department spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala stated, “The delivery of mobiles, which commenced on Friday last week, will alleviate the number of frustrated applicants who have been patiently waiting for placements. The department is adamant that all qualifying learners will be placed in due course.”
This move comes amid broader challenges in the South African education system, particularly concerning infrastructure and classroom shortages.
Limpopo’s Ongoing School Placement Challenges
Limpopo has historically faced issues with classroom shortages, leading to numerous cases where pupils were left unplaced long after the school year began. The province, one of the most rural in South Africa, has struggled with limited infrastructure and overcrowding in existing schools.
Recent reports have highlighted that some pupils in Limpopo are still taught under trees due to the lack of adequate classroom space. This has raised concerns over the quality of education provided and the ability of the government to meet its constitutional mandate of providing a basic education for all learners. (News24)
While the Limpopo Education Department has assured parents that progress is being made, the frustration among families remains high. According to recent reports, more than 1,600 pupils in the province remain without school placements, leaving many parents anxious about their children’s future. (Daily Sun)
The department acknowledges these challenges and is working diligently to ensure that all qualifying learners are accommodated. The introduction of mobile classrooms is a temporary measure aimed at mitigating the immediate shortage while more permanent solutions are developed.
The National Classroom Shortage Crisis
The challenges faced in Limpopo are not unique to the province. A recent high-level analysis revealed that more than 8,000 schools across South Africa are experiencing classroom shortages, with the national education system requiring an estimated 70,000 additional classrooms.
To address this massive shortfall, the country would need a capital investment of approximately R44 billion, making it one of the most pressing financial and infrastructure challenges in the education sector.
The Limpopo Education Department’s deployment of mobile classrooms aligns with broader efforts across South Africa to tackle infrastructure deficits. In Gauteng, for example, the provincial education department has set aside R207 million for mobile units to create satellite schools for the 2025 intake. This reflects a nationwide recognition of the urgent need for innovative solutions to classroom shortages.
The Role of Mobile Classrooms in Easing the Crisis
Mobile classrooms have been used in various parts of South Africa to alleviate infrastructure bottlenecks. These units are prefabricated structures designed to function as full-fledged classrooms, equipped with basic amenities such as electricity, ventilation, and seating.
The introduction of mobile units in Limpopo is expected to:
• Reduce the number of unplaced learners in key districts, particularly in Polokwane.
• Provide a short-term solution while the department works on constructing permanent school infrastructure.
• Ensure that education continues uninterrupted despite the backlog in placements.
Although mobile classrooms do not provide a long-term solution, they offer immediate relief to affected pupils and parents.
Education experts argue that while mobile classrooms are useful in the short term, they should not replace permanent infrastructure development. The Limpopo government has assured parents that the deployment of mobile units will be followed by a long-term plan to build more schools and classrooms in the province.
Parents’ Frustration Over Delays
Despite the department’s intervention, many parents in Limpopo remain frustrated over the delays in placing their children.
One parent, who has been waiting for placement for her child since last year, expressed her concerns: “Every year, we have the same problem with school placements. We applied early, but we are still waiting. My child is at home while other kids are learning.”
Another parent highlighted the financial burden of moving children to distant schools due to the lack of space nearby: “We now have to send our children to schools that are far from home because the local schools are full. This costs us extra money for transport, which we cannot afford.”
Community organisations and civil society groups have also called on the government to speed up the classroom expansion process to prevent similar crises in the future.
Education Department’s Commitment and Next Steps
The Limpopo Education Department has reaffirmed its commitment to placing all unassigned pupils and ensuring that no child is left behind.
Matome Taueatsoala reiterated that the department is working around the clock to finalise the remaining placements. “We understand the frustration of parents, but we assure them that every child will be placed. The department is working closely with schools to finalise the process.”
The department has also called on parents to be patient while the placement process continues. Officials have been deployed to schools across the province to verify applications, check school capacity, and fast-track late admissions.

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