Applications for 2021 school admissions open tomorrow

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education Western Cape

Enrolment applications to the Western Cape’s public schools for the 2021 school year open tomorrow.

The school enrolment process begins with the applications for admission, which are open from 17 February to 17 March 2020. The month-long window period allows all parents plenty of time to complete their applications.

Enrolment process:

Admission applications open:       17 February 2020

Admission applications close:        17 March 2020

Parents informed of outcome:      15-22 May 2020

Parents must confirm by:                5 June 2020

I encourage parents to apply to at least three schools, including their closest school, and to apply as early as possible – don’t wait until the last minute!

Parents are encouraged to use the online system to apply. This system was piloted in 2019 and will be expanded to all schools across the Western Cape this year.

Schools will assist parents in applying online if they do not have the means to do so. If this is not possible, then the school will provide a paper-based application to complete.

The required documents for an application are:

• Certified copy of ID/Birth Certificate
• Immunisation card/Road to Health chart (Primary Schools only)
• The learner’s last school report (if the learner has already been in school)
• A study permit issued by Home Affairs (if the learner is a foreign national)

In the case that a parent does not have access to the required documents, they can contact their district office for advice.

Schools may also ask parents for further information depending on their admissions policy – as long as this is in line with the South African Schools Act and the national and provincial policies on admission.  I advise parents to contact schools they would like to apply to beforehand to check their admissions policy and to ensure that they supply all the documents required by these schools.

Registering on the admissions website or submitting an application does not mean the learner has been enrolled at a school. Parents will be informed of the outcome of their applications by email or SMS between 15 and 22 May 2020.

If a learner is offered a place, parents must confirm acceptance of a space by 5 June 2020. If they only receive an offer after 5 June 2020, they must confirm acceptance within three days.

Parents can also visit the WCED website and read the Learner Enrolment FAQs here: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/learner-enrolment-faq

Media Enquiries:
Kerry Mauchline
Spokesperson to Minister Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Ministry of Education
Kerry.Mauchline@westerncape.gov.za