The third school term began this week.
According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the term is also when officials start the task of preparing for the 2020 academic year by finalising and processing admissions.
“I am concerned there are still more than 85 000 applications, where parents have not confirmed their children’s place for 2020,” MEC Debbie Schäfer said in a statement on Monday. “This means the application was successful, but the parent has not indicated their final choice on the system.”
Parents have until Thursday 12 July to confirm placement at their school of choice. If they do not confirm their choice, the department will allocate the first place where their application was successful.
Parents must preferably confirm on the system directly. This is quicker, and allows parents to see the outcome immediately. If parents are unable to confirm on the system directly, they can email or call the West Coast district office or head office for help.
Parents must provide the learner’s name and surname, Centralised Educational Management Information (Cemis) number and name of the school the learner will attend in 2020, or placement cannot be confirmed.
“I also urge parents who have not received a positive response to remain calm while we process the second phase of the admissions process,” Schäfer said. “The whole purpose of this phase of admission is to get as many confirmations completed as soon as possible, so that places open up at schools where children are double or triple ‘parked’ in terms of successful applications.”
The department says confirming the 2020 applications as soon as possible will allow officials to determine where learners on waiting lists can be accommodated.
