The Western Cape Education Department has called on parents to remain calm, as the outcomes of Grade R, 1 & 8 applications start becoming available from Friday, 30 May.

The Ryan O’Connor Breakfast show fielded several calls from distraught parents this morning, saying they have been left in tears after they were notified that their children had not been accepted at any schools yet.

The WCED’s Kerry Mauchline has allayed the fears expressed by many parents, about the school placement process, emphasising that this is just the first day in a long process.

“It’s understandable that parents are panicked, these are your kids, but it’s important to note that this is just the first day of offers going out to parents, there will be more places that become available in the coming days.”

Mauchline explained that there are over 44,000 parents who are “double parked.” This means these families have received more than two offers from different schools, and they now need to decide on which school they will choose.

These parents have until 17 June to make that decision, otherwise, the admissions system will decide for them to release the extra places that are available to other parents.

She says parents should not let their initial disappointment at not being offered a place in a school get them down.

“As a parent, you have not failed, over 100 000 learners apply for schools in the province each year and that is why we start early with the process. The demands are very different in the Western Cape, and our message to parents is don’t worry yet, this is just the first phase.”

What’s more, some top schools in the province only offer about 100 places each year, but often get inundated with over 3500 applications.

Mauchline says they are strongly encouraging parents who are double-parked to make their choices as soon as possible, to create opportunities for other learners.

She stresses that the system would auto-confirm their top choice after 17 June, should they not meet the deadline.

Those additional places then go straight back into the system.

READ: Outcomes of grades R, 1 & 8 applications available from 30 May