Alfonso bursting at seams

SCORES of parents cling to a fence separating the pre-schoolers from the rest of the school, their ears pressed against it as they desperately wait to hear their children's names called out. Some are called out, meaning the little ones have gained access to Alfonso Arries Primary's in-demand Grade R class.

The others, however, are told something none are prepared to accept: take your child to another creche until we are able to accommodate more pupils.

The two-year-old school, which is the only primary school serving the vast and fast-developing Chatty settlement, received more than 400 applications for Grade R.

They can only accommodate 110. And that is after pushing the teacher-pupil ratio to the absolute limit of 37 pupils to a teacher.