The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is calling on parents and guardians to submit their admission applications before the closing date in April. Around 60,000 admission applications have already been received by the department.
The application period for Grade 1 and Grade 8 admissions in the Western Cape opened on Monday 11 March 2024. At the halfway point of the application period, the WCED received 59,510 Grade 1 and 8 learners.
While this number may seem significant, the WCED confirmed that around 65,000 applications are still outstanding. The department is therefore calling on parents to submit admission applications before it is too late.
Last year, we received over 125,000 Grade 1 and 8 applications, so we appeal to the parents of roughly 65,000 learners who still need to apply to do so immediately. Receiving all the applications on time will make a big difference to our planning and preparations for 2025.
The deadline to apply for Grade 1 and 8 admissions in the Western Cape for the 2025 school year is 12 April 2024.
Admission applications must be submitted online using the WCED admissions website by no later than 12 April 2024 at 11:59 pm
Required documents
- The last official school report card
- Proof of learner's identity (ID, birth certificate, passport)
- Proof of residence (rates account, lease agreement, affidavit)
- Immunisation card (Grade 1 applicants only)
- Additional documents for foreign learners
One of the major criticisms of online admissions systems is that they are exclusionary for people who don’t have access to the internet.
The WCED has established 120 pop-up admission sites in shopping malls, schools, and other locations in all education districts. These sites offer support and assistance with the online application process.
We have made over 120 pop-up admission sites available at shopping malls, schools and other facilities, across all 8 education districts.
2025 School Calendar
The 2025 school calendar will span from 15 January to 10 December, comprising a total of 199 school days.
Schools in inland provinces typically commence on a different date than those in coastal provinces, usually with a one-week gap between them. However, for 2025, schools across the country will commence the first term on the same date (15 January 2025) and conclude it 52 school days later (28 March 2025).
Term Dates
- Term 1: 15 January - 28 March
- Term 2: 8 April – 27 June
- Term 3: 22 July – 3 October
- Term 4: 13 Oct – 10 December
The 2025 school year will therefore come to an end on 10 December for both inland and coastal schools.
