Get documents ready to apply for 2026 academic year in WC - WCED

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has called on parents to get their child’s documents ready, should they go to Grade R, 1 or 8 in the Western Cape in 2026.

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According to the WCED, the on-time admissions applications window will open on Tuesday, 11 March 2025, and close on Tuesday, 15 April 2025.

The following required supporting documents are needed:

1.   Identification – any one of the following can be submitted:

·        Identity document (ID) or birth certificate of the learner;

·        Foreign learners: a passport or a copy of parent’s refugee or asylum seeker permit on which the learner’s name should appear;

·        If the learner has foreign parents but was born in South Africa: a handwritten birth certificate (DHA 19 form); or

·        If the learner was not born in South Africa: a passport or a refugee or asylum seeker permit issued in the learner’s name.

 

2.   Immunisation card or Road to Health chart – applicable to pre-primary and primary schools only.

3.   Latest official school report or academic report

4.   Proof of residence e.g. rates account/lease agreement/an affidavit made at a police station confirming residence.

 

Education MEC, David Maynier, said if any of these documents are unavailable, parents can submit a police affidavit indicating this in place of the missing document.

‘’Applications are to be submitted online, and documents will need to be scanned and uploaded to the online admissions system… Parents will not have to drop off certified hard copies of the documents when they apply. They will only submit certified hard copies to the school once they have been offered, and have accepted, a place in a school.’’

‘’Parents who are not able to access the online system can receive assistance in person at their education district office, at one of our pop-up admissions sites, or at the school to which they wish to apply. We encourage parents to bring all the necessary documentation with them when seeking assistance in person,’’ added Maynier.

He stressed that applying on time will help the Western Cape Government to plan better for a place for your child next year.

 

Done By: Elona Sibunzi