Don’t wait! Parents of 28 000 current Grade 7s have not yet applied for Grade 8 next year

31 March 2026 – Statement by Minister David Maynier, Minister of Education Western Cape

Parents are responsible for applying on time for a place in a school for their child, but the parents of 28 003 Grade 7 learners currently attending school in the Western Cape have not yet applied for a place in Grade 8 next year. 

We are making an urgent appeal to these parents: don’t wait! 

We have made it as easy as possible to apply, and made help available to parents who are not able to complete their applications online, so there is no reason not to apply on time. 

There are still two weeks left to get applications in on time before the on-time admissions window closes on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

So far, the parents of 125 063 children have already applied for a place in Grade R, 1 or 8 next year, and we thank these parents for making these applications their priority. 

Applications can be made online on the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) website: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/education/service/learner-admissions

Parents who need assistance can bring their required documents to one of our pop-up admissions sites. Details of the locations of these pop-up sites are available on the WCED website. Parents can also visit their local education district office for assistance.

Don’t wait! Apply on time before 14 April 2026.