Government policy, demography and primary school enrolment in Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa

South African government policies have influenced the distribution of schools in the Vhembe district. Changes in the local population structure, due to the effect of a variety of socio-economic and demographic factors have caused fluctuations in learner enrolments in primary schools. The situation has not only seriously affected the children of school-going age but it has also had far-reaching consequences for educators, local communities and the Department of Basic Education, particularly at provincial level. A geographical study was conducted to assess the socio-economic and political impact of demographic factors on school enrolments in the area using qualitative and quantitative instruments. The findings revealed that the policy implemented had not accommodated fluctuating learner enrolments appropriately and a major challenge now faces Limpopo schools. The general decline in learner enrolments led to the closure of schools, prevalence of unutilised or under-utilised facilities, the redeployment of educators and learners having to negotiate longer distances to school, while the surge in learner enrolments at some schools led to an unsatisfactory state of overcrowding. From a socio-spatial perspective, the disjuncture between the location of the primary schools that were closed and the needs of the local communities with their distinctive demographic features was evident.