While the 2025 school year commenced just a few days ago, there are still learners in the country yet to be placed at a school. 98% of learners in the Western Cape in Grade 1 and 8 have received school placements.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) revealed:
As of 14 January 2025, we have allocated places for 118 914, or 98%, of the learners for whom applications were received for Grade 1 and 8 for the 2025 school year by 31 December 2024.
The department has said that placement is currently in progress for 2 478 learners, the remaining 2%, of Grade 1 and 8 learners. They explained that since the start of 2025, more than 300 new late applications were received for Grade 1 and 8 learners who are yet to be placed.
"We understand that this is a stressful and anxious period for parents who are waiting for a place, and we are asking parents to work with us as we try to accommodate their children as soon as possible," urged the Department.
Parents who have not yet applied for the 2025 school year are being urged to apply for school admission immediately at their education district office.
There are more than 1.2 million learners who enrolled at public schools for the 2025 school year. Of these learners, 107 000 are entering school for the first time in Grade and 100 000 are starting Grade 8.
New Schools Coming Soon
The WCED also revealed that there are plans in progress to expand the schooling system in the province with 9 new schools being built. WCED Education Minister David Maynier, said:
Our provincial education system continues to grow, and we are taking steps to accommodate the increase in learner numbers this year despite severe budget constraints.
265 additional classrooms will be made available for learners in the 2025 school year which includes 6 new schools and 180 classrooms for January 2025.
There have however been concerns about teacher shortages as well as budget cuts which would see 2 400 teaching posts being cut. The WCED has now confirmed that 477 new growth posts will be made available due to new schools being completed and more staff being needed.
During my Adjustment Budget speech in December 2024, I said that we would need to make provision for these new schools, and new classrooms, to have teachers, and that we are considering all available options ahead of 2025 school year. I said that we would fight for our teachers, and we continue to do so.
"While this decision will have further implications for our budget deficit, it is crucial that our new and existing schools have the resources they need to accommodate additional learners in 2025," said Maynier.
