As Western Cape schools get back to teaching and learning for the new academic year, more than 3,000 pupils are still waiting to see if there’s any space for them.

Education MEC Debbie Schäfer says the department is ready for the new school year, even though thousands of learners are still in limbo.

Over 400 Grade 1 pupils still need to be allocated a desk and more than 2,400 Grade 8s are still waiting to hear where they’ll be placed.

Meanwhile, Golden Grove Primary School in Rondebosch is one of a few that has managed to return to full attendance.

Speaking to Radio 786, Grade 1 teacher Layla Ahmed admits that rotational learning was challenging as there was less teaching time, and it was a struggle for Grade Rs and 1s as they are not yet able to read, or work independently.

However, the positive side to rotational learning, was that classrooms were not overcrowded.

Golden Grove Primary School Grade 1 teacher Layla Ahmed says they are excited to have all their kids back