GEORGE NEWS - School admissions for 2020 are now closed. Online admissions closed on Friday 15 March, said Jessica Shelver, spokesperson for Western Cape Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer. Shelver said parents had a full month in which to prioritise their children's applications for 2020. "This year we piloted an online admissions system, and while the system came with some minor hiccups, we are pleased with the overall response."
Since admissions opened on 15 February, the online admissions system has processed 192 481 applications, 73 487 of which are unique learner applications. It is expected that these figures will increase significantly as many parents rush to complete their applications.
Deadline reminders
The WCED has notified the public of the application deadline through text messages and e-mails sent by the online system to those parents who did not complete their applications, as well as a number of radio ad campaigns reminding parents of the closing date for applications.
Shelver says WCED officials will continue to assist those parents who failed to enrol their children in time. "Parents will be able to submit applications on the system even after 15 March, but it will be marked as a late application."
The department urges parents to enrol their child if they can, particularly learners applying for admission into Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 8.
"We also want to assist as many parents as possible whose children do not get accepted during this period, to find a school. Schools are to inform parents of the outcome of their applications by 10 May. Parents have just 10 days to confirm acceptance at the school of their choice, or decline other options that have been accepted, by 20 May," says Shelver.
Parents applying at schools should note the following:
- The SGB of the school, not the WCED, is responsible for the admissions policy of that particular school.
- Applying at a school does not guarantee acceptance and the WCED has been very clear in all its communication that parents must apply at more than one school.
- The proximity to a school does not always guarantee placement. Living 50m from a school or 50km cannot guarantee placement. Some schools factor proximity in their admissions policies, but it is rarely the sole criterion, if it is a criterion at all.
- Some schools receive five times the number of applications than the places they have available.
Therefore they cannot satisfy the needs of everyone who applies.
Parents who require assistance with admissions should contact the relevant district office.
The contact details of the official in charge of admissions in the Eden & Central Karoo district are:
Albie Ellman, Tel: 044 803 8300 | 044 803 8309 or e-mail: Albie.Ellman@westerncape.gov.za.
WCED Call Centre: 0861 923 322 (If you are unsure of which district to approach)
Parents are encouraged to visit the section on the website called "Frequently Asked Questions – Learner Enrolments" for more information.
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