The application window for Free State schools has officially closed. Admission applications were submitted for learners starting at a new school in the 2024 academic year, for Grades 1 and 8.
The School Admission Application Window For Free State Schools
The application period was open from 1 April 2023, and will close today, 31 August 2023. This gave parents and/guardians around four months to submit their child's applications to schools of their choice.
It's important to note that admission is provided on a first come, first served basis so parents who submit applications earlier in the application period are more likely to secure preferred admission for their children.
Free State Department of Education (FSDoE) Spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, explained that applications submitted before the deadline, place the Department in an advantageous position to place learners in schools and subsequently enable effective teaching and learning to commence on the first day of the school in 2024.
How Late Applications Affect Your Child's Application and School Placement
Late applications often result in learners being left without a school for the academic year, meaning they fall behind on school work and cannot complete the required tests and assessments in order to progress to the following grade.
At the time, the Free State Department of Education urged parents/guardians to apply as early as possible, to avoid complications further down the line.
The Department urges parents and legal guardians whose children will be going to school for the first time, starting high schools and those changing schools to make use of this opportunity and apply for admission for next year as early as possible.
Education In The Free State
The Free State Department of Education boasts an impressive matric exam pass rate and has been the top-performing province for matric results for the past four years. The Department achieved a pass rate of 88,5% in the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
In 2023, the department announced plans to build ten new schools in the province.
The Department allocated R776 million for the construction of the ten new schools, including:
- Trompsburg Special School
- Arbeidsgenot Primary School
- Matlafalang Primary School
- Tlholo Primary School
- Malebogo Primary School
- Tshehetso Primary School
- Morena Tshohisi Primary School
- Father Balink Primary School
- Dr. Sello Primary School
- Katlego Mpumelelo Primary School
An additional allocation of R240 million was pledged to enhance existing schools with facilities like classrooms, Grade R classrooms, science laboratories, nutrition centres, and ablution facilities to comply with Minimum Norms and Standards for school infrastructure.
A Look At The 2024 School Calendar
For the 2024 school year, Coastal Cluster schools and Inland schools will both have 199 instructional days, spread over 43 weeks.
Schools in the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West are classified as schools that cover the inland regions of the country. The Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape are all part of the Coastal Cluster of schools in the nation.
Term dates for Inland schools:
- First Term: 12 January - 17 March
- Second Term: 5 April - 24 June
- Third Term: 19 July - 30 September
- Fourth Term: 11 October - 14 December
Term dates for Coastal Cluster schools:
- First Term: 19 January - 25 March
- Second Term: 5 April - 24 June
- Third Term: 19 July - 30 September
- Fourth Term: 11 October - 14 December
Consequently, all schools' academic years will conclude on 14 December 2023.
