Parents living in the North West can now apply for their children to attend schools in the province. The application period for the 2025 school year is officially open.
The admissions application period officially opened this week and parents can begin submitting admission applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placement in 2025. Parents have just 50 days to submit admission applications as the application period is set to close on 22 June 2024.
How to Apply
During the application window schools were required to make application forms available to parents, guardians, and learners. Completed applications must be returned to the school by 22 June 2024. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Schools will notify applicants of their decision (acceptance or non-acceptance) by 30 October
Application Guidelines
- No entrance exams: Schools are prohibited from administering admission tests before admitting learners. The South African Schools Act does not allow for pre-Grade R admissions, and under-aged learners cannot be placed in Grade R classes.
- Free application forms: Schools cannot charge fees for application forms or for registering learners.
- Department oversight: Departmental officials will manage and monitor the admissions process. Districts will collect all registration inquiries and admissions statistics and report them monthly to the director.
Age Requirements
The following age requirements apply for admission to public schools, as per Section 5(4)(a) of the South African Schools Act (SASA):
- Grade R: Turning 5 years old by June 30, 2025 (must be 4 years old currently)
- Grade 1: Turning 6 years old by June 30, 2025 (must be 5 years old currently)
Required Documents
- Parent/Legal Guardian ID
- Proof of Home Address
- Child's Birth Certificate
- Clinic Card/Proof of Immunization (Grade R & 1 only)
- Most recent Grade 7 report card (Grade 8 only)
- Transfer letter or card from previous school (if applicable)
Late Applications and Appeals
The department understands that situations may arise that prevent timely applications. To accommodate these cases, Admission Task Teams and Registration Hubs have been established for late applications and registrations. Parents or guardians who encounter difficulties enrolling their children for 2025 can seek assistance from circuit managers. An appeals process is also available, reaching up to the Member of the Executive Council in cases of dissatisfaction.
Reasons for Refusal
While schools have some control over their admission policies, they cannot refuse admission based on certain criteria. These include:
- Inability to pay school fees
- Disagreement with the school's mission statement
- Discriminatory factors such as language, culture, disability, race, religion, economic background, HIV status, or pregnancy
Learner Registration
Registration for all grades is open until 20 September 2024. Registration follows a first-come, first-served approach for those who meet the admission requirements outlined in the South African Schools Act (SASA).
Parents or guardians are responsible for registering their children before the closing date. Late registrations will only be considered in exceptional cases, starting in October 2024 and finalizing before schools reopen in January 2025.
