The Western Cape Education Department is appealing to parents and guardians for patience, as the outcomes of the 2027 school admissions were made available on Thursday.  

Parents and guardians who submitted applications for grades R, 1 and 8 during the on-time application window now have access to the schools where their child has been accepted. 

Now, they have until 15 June to confirm which school they will be attending.  

MEC David Maynier has reiterated to parents that the early outcomes are not necessarily the final status of the application.  

READ MORE:  WCED Explains Why Learners May Appear “Double Booked” in Admissions – Smile 90.4FM

He said that because some learners apply to multiple schools, they may be accepted at multiple schools, but they still need to make a choice of which school they will attend.  

Thereafter, more spots at schools will become available for other learners. 

“It is important to note that over 46 000 learners received 2 or more offers, and as their parents confirm their choice of school, over 64 000 places will still open up to be offered to other parents,” said Maynier in a statement on Thursday. 

Education activist Vanessa le Roux said these concerns by parents and guardians over admissions happen every year, adding that little effort is made by the department to improve the system.  

She noted that she has been inundated with queries since the early hours of Thursday morning from parents whose children were not accepted, which has caused much frustration and anxiety.  

“I don’t know why the department didn’t sort that out yet… I have advised parents to appeal, that is a process, because what they are now going to say is they are waiting on parents to accept the placements, and then they will open a window for appeals. But I think the WCED should really look at their system, it’s not working,” said Le Roux, who sympathised with parents who are feeling disappointed and panic.  

Le Roux added that she had also been informed of challenges in accessing the WCED online portal. 

But Maynier said there may be parents and guardians who are disappointed but urged them to be understanding of the process. 

“We are still very early in the process, and we appeal to parents for patience and understanding as the process continues. 

*This article was written with Loushe Jordaan-Gilbert