Western Cape reopens Grade 1 and 8 online applications

The Western Cape Department of Education says parents with learners who will be doing Grade 1 or 8 will be able to capture late applications on the online system until 12 May.

The decision to extend the deadline comes as the department received over 8000 late applications after the initial deadline which was on 12 April.

WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION OPENS LATE APPLICATIONS FOR GRADE 1 AND 8

The department said the arents will be able to capture late applications on the online system until 12 May 2024, but they will be flagged as late applications, which will be considered after those received during the on-time window.

During the initial window, the department received a record 102 680 applications. This is an increase of 5 936 compared to the previous year’s tally within the same timeframe.

It is important to note that the online admissions system is zero-rated and does not use any data. If parents need in-person help capturing their application, they can visit their education district office for assistance.

“Parents of Grade 1 and 8 learners who decide to relocate to the Western Cape after late online applications close on 12 May 2024, or who did not apply before this date for any other reason, will need to contact their district office for assistance as soon as possible thereafter. We urge parents not to wait until the last minute to apply. 

“The window for Grade R applications and transfer requests for Grades 2 – 7 and 9 – 12 will run from 1 to 16 August 2024,” spokesperson Kerry Mauchline explained.

PARENTS URGED TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE SCHOOL OFFERS BY 14 JUNE

Furthermore, parents are urged to accept or decline successful offers before 14 June, and to do so as quickly as possible.

Mauchline said it is especially important for parents to confirm their choice of school speedily when they have received offers from multiple schools. These parents are essentially ‘double parking’ on the system, stopping schools from offering these places to other applicants until they make their choice.

“If a parent has not confirmed their choice by 14 June 2024, the system will automatically confirm their top-ranked school that has made an offer. All other offers will then be removed, so that those places can be offered to other learners,” she added.