More than 40 600 online school applications for 2024 were received in the Western Cape; 91 learners still unplaced in 2023

More than 40 600 online school applications for 2024 were received in the Western Cape by Thursday. The Western Cape’s Education Department (WCED) opened its online application system on Monday.

‘’As of 17h30 on Thursday, 16 March 2023, we have received applications for 40 694 learners for the 2024 school year. With parents applying for more than one school for their children, the total number of individual applications to schools received in the first four days of the applications window is 137 417,’’ said David Maynier, Education MEC.

According to Maynier, the online system is running smoothly, with a small number of parents experiencing technical glitches.

‘’Parents are able to log a query using the “contact us” option at the top of the admissions page. We are committed to assisting all parents with technical issues to resolve each and every problem as soon as possible.’’

‘’We urge parents not to be alarmed if they face any technical difficulties. All problems can and will be dealt with by our staff, and we thank parents for their patience and for heeding our call to apply on time this year,’’ he added.

The online application process will be open until 23h59 on 14 April 2023.

PICTURE: WCED

Meanwhile, 91 children still needs to be placed for either Grade 1 or Grade 8 in the Western Cape. The MEC said as of 10 March 2023, the department have resolved 122 519, or 99.9%, of the unique Grade 1 and Grade 8 placement applications for the 2023 school year.

Maynier said placement is in progress for 6 of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for whom applications were received after the deadline for applications passed, but before the end of 2022; placement is in progress for just four Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for whom applications were received on time; placement is in progress for 81 of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for whom extremely late applications were received after 1 January 2023.

‘’It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of the cases where placement is still in progress are new applicants who arrived this year. These learners are being prioritised at present. Unfortunately, some of the parents of these learners are also unreachable, even when we have places to offer for their children.’’

‘’We understand that the placement process can cause frustration for parents, and we ask for their patience and assure them that we are doing everything we can to ensure their children’s placement is finalised as soon as possible,’’ added Maynier.

 

Done By: Mitchum George