As the new school year begins, parents are facing various experiences in securing placements at schools.

Some schools turn away desperate parents who did not secure places after applying last year, while others still consider children and place them on a waiting list.

At Martti Ahtisaari Primary School, parents were sent home immediately, as there is no waiting list, and were advised to return on January 31st to see if there are available places in case those granted places do not show up.

At Faith Primary School in Wanaheda, the scene was chaotic as parents jostled in queues to secure places for their children.

They gathered outside, filling out waiting lists and hoping for places.

One parent, Loide Mavulu, shared her struggle to secure placements for her children.

Despite initially being told there were no spaces, she managed to secure placements for three of her children in pre-primary, Grade One, and Grade Four.

Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Education's office in the France Indongo Building, a large group of parents gathered seeking placements for pre-primary, Grade One, and Grades Five and Eight.

Those seeking Grade One and pre-primary places were told to return in the afternoon after lunch, but only if they had applied and secured a place for their children last year.

Parents who registered last year received placement letters for specific schools, while those who failed to apply were asked to wait until the registration process for those already in the system is finalized.

Toini Marenga, another parent, highlighted the challenges of navigating the process, emphasizing the importance of persistence and determination in securing a place for her children.

Approached for a comment, the Ministry of Basic Education stated they will hold a media conference on Tuesday.