School deadline looms for W Cape parents

Generic pic of blackboard and chalk

Generic pic of blackboard and chalk

Published Jun 25, 2015

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Cape Town - Western Cape parents have only a few days left to enrol their children in school for the 2016 academic year.

While the province had two phases for enrolment in the past, Education MEC Debbie Schäfer recently announced that there would only be one deadline this year – June 30, by which parents have to submit their children’s applications.

Last year the second phase of enrolment closed in September but at the start of the 2015 school year many schools had to deal with late enrolments.

On Wednesday Schäfer’s spokesperson, Jessica Shelver, said it was important for parents to enrol their children as soon as possible as many of popular schools were already full.

“Many already have waiting lists, so there is no guarantee even now that parents will find places at their school of choice. It is also important for schools and the education department to know as soon as possible how many learners they have to cater for. They need this information so that they can plan ahead.”

She said schools needed to know whether they would require more teachers, textbooks, furniture and other resources.

“It is important that these measures and resources are in place before the end of this year, so that teaching and learning can start on the first day of term in January 2016.”

She said schools would let parents know in writing whether they could accommodate their child. Parents have to accept the offer in writing.

“We urge parents not to wait for the written offer before applying to another school. Schools will refer parents to the relevant district office if they are unsuccessful at any of the schools. The district office will then help parents to find places for their children.”

Shelver said the Western Cape does not apply zoning policies to school admission.

“In other words, feeder areas do not apply, unless the school governing body decides to give preference to their local community. School governing bodies have the right to decide on their admission policies, subject to our constitution and education laws.”

She said the department couldn’t guarantee places at parents’ schools of choice, even if these were closest to the child’s home.

“We encourage parents to accept the next school of choice if your first choice is full.”

If parents feel that they had been unfairly discriminated against in any way during the application process, they can appeal the decision with the school governing body.

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