The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) received a record number of applications for Grade 1 and 8 learners for the 2025 academic year. The application window closed on Friday, 12 April 2024.
A total of 102,680 applications were received for Grade 1 and 8 placements. This represents a significant increase of 5,936 compared to the on-time applications received last year (96,744).
The WCED expressed its appreciation to parents who submitted their applications on time. This helps with planning for student placement in schools for the next year.
Schools now have over a month to review the applications they received during the on-time window. Parents are not required to submit certified hard copies at this stage. Certified copies will only be needed if a school offers a place and the parents accept it as their final choice.
Application results will be available online starting on 30 May 2024. Parents will be notified electronically closer to the date. Successful applicants will have until 14 June 2024, to accept or decline the offer.
The WCED encourages parents to accept offers as soon as possible, especially for parents who received offers from multiple schools. They explain that holding onto multiple offers delays placement for other waiting students.
If a parent does not choose by 14 June 2024, the system will automatically select the top-ranked school that offers a place. All other offers will be withdrawn to allow the placement of other students.
For Applicants Who Don't Receive A Placement Offer
The WCED advises parents who don't receive an offer on 30 May not to be discouraged. Openings often become available as parents confirm their final choices. The department remains committed to placing all students whose parents applied on time.
Late Applications
The WCED said all applications received after the 12 April 2024 deadline are considered late and will only be processed after on-time applications. Parents in the province can still submit late applications online until 12 May 2024.
Parents who relocate to the Western Cape after the late application window closes or those who did not apply earlier for any reason must contact their district office as soon as possible for assistance. The WCED encourages applying early to avoid any last-minute complications.
Applications For Other Grades
The WCED said the application window for Grade R admissions and transfer requests for Grades 2-7 and 9-11 will be open from 1 August 2024 to 16 August 2024.
