The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has introduced procedures for placing learners who have not yet found places in schools in 2005.

The department launched a campaign in August to advise parents to apply to schools for admission of their children by 15 September if they had not already done so.

The campaign was intended mainly for learners starting school in Grade 1, those entering high school in Grade 8, or those changing schools.

According to the procedures, schools were to inform parents by 30 September whether they had places available for their children. Parents then had 10 days to accept the places.

The WCED also required schools to inform their local district offices by 30 September whether they had vacancies, according to grade and medium of instruction, or provide a list of learners who could not be accommodated. The district offices are known as Education Management and Development Centres (EMDCs).

During the period 1 October to 15 November schools that have tuition space available must again accept applications.

Parents must be notified in writing, within 10 working days of submitting an application, whether or not their applications have been successful so that they can apply to another school if necessary.

The letters will state that the parent must contact the EMDC to obtain admission to an alternative school. The street address of the relevant EMDC and its contact numbers must be provided in the letter.

On 15 November, schools that still vacancies must provide relevant details to their local EMDC.

From 16 November EMDC officials will try and place learners where schools have space available, with the assistance of schools and community structures. The onus will be on parents to approach EMDCs for assistance.

We appeal to parents to contact their local EMDC if they still cannot find places for their children in 2005 by 15 November.