Although the month-long window in which parents could apply for their children’s school admissions in 2024 closed last Friday (14 April), late applications can still be captured online before Thursday 25 May.
“It is imperative that parents do not delay applying any further,” a media statement by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) urged. “By doing so it will affect our planning processes and could result in delays in placing your child. We must work together to ensure a smooth start to 2024!”
For late applications, parents can visit: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions-202324.
The media statement also stated the WCED, during the admissions window, received applications from parents of 156 150 learners for the 2024 school year. Applying for more than one school for their children, the total number of individual applications for placement and transfer to schools received is 503 763.
“We thank the parents who put the effort into applying on time and helping us plan for a place for their child at a school next year. Please note, any parents who logged a query for technical assistance with our team before the deadline will be considered to have applied on time.”
For parents who applied on time and are wondering what’s next, schools will have just over a month to consider all the applications they have received.
Parents are reminded that they do not need to drop off their certified hard copies at this stage. They will need to do so only once they have received an offer from a school and have accepted it as their final choice of school.
The WCED is working towards parents seeing the outcomes of their applications online from Monday 29 May, but this will be confirmed as the date approaches.
Parents must either accept or decline successful offers, and we encourage them to do so as quickly as possible. More details will be released closer to the time.
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, 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.
Parents who do not receive an offer of a place should not be disheartened: places always open up as parents confirm their final choices. The WCED assures it will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to place every learner whose parents applied on time as quickly as possible.
