Response: (a)
Please note that the department does not have comparison of learners without IDs between 2020 and 2021. However, the number of learners uploaded on LURITS were verified with the Department of Home Affairs. This analysis is not specific for the last 12 months. About 91.3% of learners with ID’s were verified with the Department of Home Affairs.
Table 1: Number of South African learners with verified ID numbers on LURITS, in 2021
Province |
Total number of learners of learners uploaded to LURITS |
Number of learners with verified ID's on NPR |
Eastern Cape |
1,688,327 |
1,612,153 |
Free State |
738,304 |
695,056 |
Gauteng |
1,899,470 |
1,607,654 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
2,251,344 |
2,122,383 |
Limpopo |
1,780,306 |
1,712,546 |
Mpumalanga |
1,128,591 |
1,052,018 |
Northern Cape |
304,675 |
297,210 |
North West |
862,259 |
816,303 |
Western Cape |
1,252,233 |
958,568 |
Total |
11,905,509 |
10,873,891 |
Source: 2021 LURITS
(b)(i)(ii)
Table 2 indicates that there were 465 826 South African learners without ID numbers captured in the School Administration System in 2021. The majority of these learners are in Gauteng, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 144 218 and 92 572, respectively.
Table 2: Number of South African learners without ID numbers submitted on LURITS, in 2021
Province |
Total Number |
Eastern Cape |
55,537 |
Free State |
30,546 |
Gauteng |
144,218 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
92,572 |
Limpopo |
46,455 |
Mpumalanga |
56,689 |
Northern Cape |
4,978 |
North West |
26,922 |
Western Cape |
7, 909 |
Total |
465 826 |
Source: 2021 LURITS
c) Engagements between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Home Affairs have been enhanced and formalised under the leadership of Deputy Ministers of both Departments. Officials have also established teams not to only focus on South African learners, but all undocumented learners in all schools. The teams are led by the Deputy Directors-General of the two departments, and these teams include Chief Directors and Directors. Through the collaboration, the Department of Home Affairs has access to schools; and both departments exchange information of undocumented learners with the aim of facilitating their registration.