| 1. |
This minute advises school principals, school governing bodies (SGBs) and district officials of the processes for enrolment of learners for the 2012 school year. It concerns primarily those children entering school for the first time, those starting high school and those who are changing schools (Please refer to: WCED POLICY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION OF LEARNERS AT ORDINARY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Circular 0026/2010). |
| 2. |
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) regards early enrolment as a priority for the start of a successful year of teaching and learning. The optimal use of teaching time during an academic year is necessary for improved performance and thus it is important that learners enroll well before the end of 2011. |
| 3. |
Parents and guardians are encouraged to exercise their rights and responsibilities when enrolling their children for school: |
| 3.1 |
It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to enrol children for the following school year if they are entering Grade 1, changing schools (such as entering Grade 8 or 9) or when they have moved to a new geographical area. |
| 3.2 |
Parents and/or guardians must make a distinction between the child being "enrolled" or "placed on a waiting list". Being on a waiting list is not a guarantee that the learner will be admitted to that school. |
| 3.3 |
In terms of Section 3(1) of the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996), school attendance is compulsory for all learners from the first school day of the year in which the learner reaches the age of seven years. |
| 3.4 |
Section 5(4)(a) of the Act determines that the admission age of a learner to a public school to
- Grade R is age four years turning five years by 30 June in the year of admission and
- Grade 1 is age five years turning six years by 30 June in the year of admission.
These are the MINIMUM ages at which admission may be granted
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| 3.5 |
Parents and guardians must, in the first instance, deal directly with the school at which they wish to enrol the child. However, should they encounter difficulty in enrolling their children for 2012, they may approach their local education district office for assistance. Contact details may be obtained from the school. |
| 3.6 |
It is assumed that a learner currently enrolled at a school will continue at that school until the exit grade. Some schools require parents to confirm that the learner will attend that school in the following year. In such cases, the principal and the SGB must inform the parents of this requirement. |
| 4. |
Principals and SGBs must inform parents and/or guardians that enrolment for 2012 has two phases: |
| 4.1 |
The first phase is in the second term, starting the first day in April and ending on 30 June 2011. Some schools may choose to start this process earlier. |
| 4.2 |
The second phase is in the third term, starting the last Monday in July and ending the last school week in September. |
| 5. |
Schools are reminded that they should have replied to all first phase applications by 30 June 2011 so that parents and guardians have sufficient time to look for alternative schools to enroll their children. |
| 6. |
Principals and SGBs are requested to make the contents of this minute available to all educators, parents and guardians. |
SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2011:04:29
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