If every learner in the Western Cape costs taxpayers R12000 a year, how much did the influx of 105850 learners over the last five years from the Eastern Cape cost?
The answer? More than R1.2-billion.
Education MEC Donald Grant said while the province was committed to providing all children with "quality education", the influx of learners due to inward migration had financial and planning consequences.
"Learner migration from other provinces is not a new phenomenon.
"It happens in every province throughout the year as parents move from province to province seeking new jobs or better education opportunities for their children," said Grant. "Education officials and departments prepare for inward migration as best they can each year, but ultimately the long- and short-term impact on the system can be significant."
This year 19857 children from the Eastern Cape enrolled. Most are entering the Western Cape system in Grades R, 1 and 10.
"The arrival of learners entering the system at the beginning of the FET band in schools, for instance in Grade 10, often poses specific challenges as our high schools and their educators have to accommodate learners who have not been prepared in the same school.
"In many cases this creates an expectation gap around subject choices," the education MEC said.
Many also arrive unexpectedly seeking enrolment. This puts pressure on educators and disrupts teaching and learning. Between January 30 and February 5 this year, officials placed 1571 Eastern Cape learners in Western Cape schools.
Education analyst Graeme Bloch said: "They must just do their job without pass laws. There is catch-up being played in the Western Cape.
" I don't dispute the figures."
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
