The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) has allocated places for 99.43% of applicants in Grades 1 and 8 for the upcoming 2024 school year.
As of this date, 120 778 learners have been placed, with ongoing efforts to accommodate the remaining 688 (0.56%) applicants. The department is also processing 176 late applications received in the past three weeks.
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‘We understand that this is a stressful and anxious period for these parents. As a department, we are asking parents to work with us as we try to accommodate their children as soon as possible. We are exploring all available options to find a place for these learners for the start of the school year,’ said David Maynier, the Western Cape provincial minister of education.
Despite facing a substantial budget cut of R716.4 million, the department remains steadfast in its goal to expand school capacity in the region.
In response to the growing demand, the WCED has announced the construction of nine new schools and the addition of 496 classrooms in high-demand areas.
This plan will result in 608 new classrooms across the province, more than doubling the average annual construction rate before 2022/2023, despite the financial constraints.
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‘Our officials and schools are working hard under extreme pressure to make sure that they find a place for every child. We are leaving no stone unturned in our effort to place every learner, and we will continue to work to finalise placement for all remaining learners whose parents have already applied,’ said Minister Maynier.
Efforts were made to streamline the application process, with an application window from March 13 to April 14, 2023, supplemented by pop-up sites and district office support. However, the department anticipates thousands of late applications in the first term of the next year, complicating resource allocation and extending wait times for placement.
Parents are advised that schools in the Western Cape are operating at full capacity. New applications are welcome, but patience is requested as placements may extend beyond the first term.
‘We will work to place every learner for whom an application is received going forward, but we want to be clear that Western Cape schools are full, and thus we appeal for patience from parents submitting new applications as they may not be placed before the end of the first term,’ concluded Minister Maynier.
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