The Western Cape online application process opened on Friday 13 March 2023 and the department has received over 160,000 applications for learners wanting to enter grade 1 and grade 8 in the 2024 school year.
Parents who applied during the application period can now visit the WCED website to view the status of their applications as the department has released outcomes.
In a recent statement the WCED notes:
On Monday, 29 May 2023, parents who applied during the on-time admissions period (13 March 2023 – 14 April 2023) will be able to view the outcome of their applications for a place for their child in a school in 2024 on the online admissions system.
Education MEC, David Maynier says that schools have been applying their admission policies over the past few weeks to determine successful applicants based on their capacity for 2024.
The department stressed that parents who have been offered a place must confirm their choice of school by 19 June 2023. After this date, their highest-ranked choice of school will be automatically confirmed.
Maynier has urged all parents to confirm their places as soon as possible, as this will free up places for other learners.
“This is especially important where a learner has received offers from multiple schools. Once these ‘double parked’ learners are confirmed to a specific school, the places at the other schools can be offered to other learners.”
How do I check my application status?
Parents can view the outcome of their application by following these steps:
- Visit the WCED admissions website.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Go to “Track Application Status"
- Select the name of the learner
- Under “Application Status”, it will inform the parent as to whether their application was a) Successful, b) Unsuccessful or c) Has been placed on the waiting list.
- The parent must then either “Withdraw” or “Confirm” their application.
If a parent has received a school placement offer and confirms if, they are required to submit the hard copy documents to the school within seven days of accepting the offer.
Furthermore, the department has encouraged parents who do not receive placement offers be patient adding that If they do not get a place at any school within the next few months, the WCED will assist with placement.
Maynier said learners who do not get placed within the next few months will be assisted towards the end of September.
He adds, “It is advisable to stay in touch with the schools applied to and to request that the learner be placed on a waiting list.”
Can I still apply?
The 2024 online admissions system for late applications closed on Thursday, 25 May 2023.
However, parents can still apply for 2024 by completing a learner placement form and submitting this at their education district office.
The department says they will be sharing details on their plans to build 21 new schools and 289 classrooms at existing schools in the areas of highest demand for placement based on the applications received thus far.
Any parents who encounter technical problems accessing the site can be assisted by calling 0860 142 142, emailing service@westerncape.gov.za or using the “Contact us” link on the login page.
