Early deadline for 2018 school places
WCED urges parents to enrol children for next year by March 24
TO HELP decrease the number of unplaced pupils in the province, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has set an early deadline for 2018 school enrolment applications.
Yesterday, the department announced that the deadline for applications will be Friday, March 24, because of the increasing demand for places in schools.
With 3 500 pupils still unplaced due to late applications, the department is trying to stay on top of the situation with the early application process.
The deadline for 2018 school enrolment is not only for Grade 1 to Grade 8, it is across all grades with the largest numbers of unplaced learners being Grades 1 and 8.
Jessica Shelver, spokesperson for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said: “Officials are urging parents to apply before the first term of 2017 for 2018, to enable schools to process applications during the second term.”
“We urge parents to confirm acceptance by the deadline to avoid ‘double parking’, where learners are enrolled at more than one school, or appear on several waiting lists.
“This will make it easier for schools and the department to place learners who relocate unexpectedly at the end of the year, and late arrivals,” Shelver said.
“The department has to implement measures during the third term to accommodate all children needing places in 2018. Schools started capturing enrolments for 2018 on Monday, January 30, on the WCED’s system.
School admissions will open on Monday, February 6, 2017 for all public schools and close on Friday, March 24, 2017. The department informed schools of the planned deadlines for the 2018 in a circular in September last year”.
She said they cannot guarantee immediate placement for those who apply late, nor places at schools.
“It is thus vital that parents apply at several schools, and not just one, as there is no guarantee their child will be accepted at the one they choose.
“The WCED is launching the campaign today to remind parents to enrol their children in school for the 2018 school year, by March 24 this year”.
Shelver said the campaign highlights skills needed for certain careers, and reminds parents that the future of their children depends on their education.
“Skills development is a particular focus of the Western Cape Government at the moment, with the introduction of the province’s Apprenticeship Game Changer programme”.