Parents are urged to get the necessary documentation ready as the 2025 school applications are set to open soon.

The Westen Cape Education Department has announced that applications will open in just 10 days. Applications for Grades 1 and 8 open at 00h01 on 11 March 2024 and close at 23h59 on 12 April 2024.

The department is catering for the grade 1 and 8 learners first as the demand for these groups is big. The WCED has therefore added that this year’s, first admission window caters for applications for Grades 1 and 8 only.

Parents who are looking to apply for Grade R or a school transfer in Grades 2 to 7 and Grades 9 to 12 will get a chance to apply in the second admissions window between 1 August 2024 and 16 August 2024.

“We appeal to all parents and guardians with children entering Grade 1 and Grade 8 next year to please start gathering and certifying the necessary documentation required for their applications so that they are ready to apply when the admissions window opens.”

The following certified documents will be required for all 2025 applications:

• The last official school Report Card
• Proof of identity:
• ID, Birth certificate, or passport of the learner,
• In the case of a foreign learner: a passport, a study permit or proof of application for a study permit, or a copy of the parent’s Asylum seeker or Refugee Permit
• OR A police affidavit if these documents are not available
• Immunisation card (Road to Health Chart) [Primary Schools only]
• Proof of Residence (Rates account, Lease agreement, an affidavit confirming residence)

“Getting the necessary certified documentation together in advance will make the online application process a lot easier.”

In previous years, the department has dealt with cases in which parents apply extremely for placement at schools when classes are already at full capacity.

At the start of this year, schools were inundated with applications and were unable to accommodate learners. As of now, 226 learners in the province are still awaiting placement at a school.

In an effort to get parents to apply on time and to avoid over-population at schools or more cases of learners not being placed next year, the department is arranging pop-up sites for parents to apply.

There are over 120 pop-up admission sites, which include shopping malls, schools and other facilities, in all 8 education districts.

Venues have also been made available across all education districts to provide support to parents and guardians who do not have access to internet facilities or need assistance applying online.

More information on the admission process can be found at: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions