Latest news with #WCED
Eyewitness News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
WCED says it has had few challenges with its expansion plans
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says while it has plans to build more schools to accommodate the influx of learners into the province, it has had a few challenges with its expansion plans. The Department briefed the Provincial Standing Committee on Education on Tuesday on its Annual Performance Plan for 2025/2026 and its Strategic Plan. The Western Cape currently has about 1,500 public schools and faces increasing demand for new schools and classrooms. This is due to the influx of learners from other provinces due to migration. The Western Cape Education Department has told the Provincial Standing Committee on Education that budget cuts, rapid population growth, and infrastructure constraints are some of the challenges hindering the rapid delivery of more schools in the Cape. WCED's Salie Abrahams said the department is also aware of the inadequate distribution of schools between urban and rural areas. "We acknowledge the deficit that we have to speed up and we have had confidence purely on the basis of we've delivered on our promises. I would like to use that as a measure of financial allocation for service delivery, then the services must be delivered." He said they're also working with local municipalities to unlock land to build more schools.
The South African
14-05-2025
- General
- The South African
Apply by Friday for Grade R, 1 and 8 placements in Western Cape
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has issued a final reminder to all parents and guardians: the window for late applications to secure Grade R, 1 and 8 school placements for the 2026 school year closes on Friday, 16 May. With just two days remaining, officials urge families to act swiftly to avoid disappointment. 'Parents and guardians who have not yet applied must take advantage of this final opportunity to secure a place for their child at a school in the Western Cape,' said Leon van Wyk, MPP. He added that understanding each school's admissions policy is key to preventing unmet expectations. Furthermore, applications can be completed online via the admission website. For those unable to access the digital platform, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) offers in-person support through its Admissions Walk-in Centre in Foreshore, Cape Town, operating weekdays from 7:30 to 16:00. Schools and district offices also remain available for direct support. To complete the process, applicants must provide several essential documents: an identification document (such as a birth certificate or passport), an immunisation card (for Grades R and 1), the child's most recent school report, and proof of residence. In cases where some documents are unavailable, the WCED allows the submission of a sworn police affidavit as a temporary substitute. This measure ensures that parents are not turned away due to missing paperwork. The DA emphasised that timely applications are not just about meeting a deadline. 'Applying for admission is not just a formality,' the party stated, 'it is an essential step in securing a child's future.' Additionally, once a late application is submitted, parents should print a copy for their records. The WCED will publish outcomes for Grades R, 1, and 8 applications on its admissions website on 30 May. Timely submissions also assist the WCED in planning effectively for the next academic year, ensuring that every learner has access to education from day one. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Western Cape Education Department extends deadline as over 8,600 late applications flood in for 2026 school admissions
Deadline for late applications for Grade R, 1, and 8 in Western Cape extended Image: Supplied The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that while the on-time admissions window for Grade R, 1, and 8 in 2026 closed on 15 April 2025, the online admissions system has remained open for late applications. To date, the department has received late applications for 8,603 learners for these grades, bringing the total number of applications received so far to 173,872. The WCED advised parents and guardians that the online system will officially close on Friday, 16 May 2025. After this date, any late applications will need to be submitted in person at education district offices or directly at schools. Late applications will only be considered by schools after all on-time applications have been reviewed. The department has appealed to parents to submit their late applications as soon as possible, noting that early submissions help with planning for additional school placements where required. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Next steps for on-time applicants: Schools are currently reviewing applications submitted during the on-time admissions period and applying their admissions policies to select successful applicants. Offers of placement will begin from 30 May 2025, and parents must confirm their acceptance by 17 June 2025. The WCED stressed the importance of parents ensuring their contact details are up to date, as each year many offers cannot be finalised due to parents being unreachable. Updated contact details can be submitted by calling the WCED Call Centre at 0861 819 919 (press 1 for admissions). Transfer Applications (Grades 2-7 and 9-12) The online window for transfer applications for Grades 2 to 7 and 9 to 12 will open on 4 August 2025 and close on 18 August 2025. Applications from learners who have reached the highest grade available at their school, or whose families have relocated, will be prioritised. For more information and to access the online admissions system, visit the WCED website: Weekend Argus
