Western Cape Education Department Finalises Enrolment for 2014

Statement by Western Cape Education Minister, Donald Grant

In less than a month's time, learners will begin their summer school holidays. Schools will close their doors and school staff and educators will go on a much-deserved break.

Schools will re-open on 13 January when educators return to schools. Learners will return on 15 January for the official start to the 2014 school year.

Between 5 December 2013 and 13 January 2014, the WCED will be unable to confirm with schools progress with the registration of learners.

Thousands of parents have enrolled their children in schools already, and we thank them for their co-operation in this regard. However, the few that have not yet registered their children for 2014 are running out of time.

I am therefore making a final appeal to these parents to register their children immediately by contacting their nearest district office for assistance. It is extremely important for parents to enquire about enrolling their child within the next month.

District will assist parents in identifying spaces available at the nearest schools according to the parents’ request in terms of grade or medium of instruction.

Many schools, however, have already reached capacity - some as early as June this year.

Enrolment in schools began in March this year, with a second phase of enrolments from July to September. The WCED had also launched an early enrolment campaign earlier in the year, and have issued numerous calls for enrolment.

We are pleased that, overall, the vast majority of learners have been enrolled for 2014. We estimate this to be around 99%.

Those parents who still have to enrol their children have therefore reduced their chances of enrolling at a school of their choice.

Their lack of action in this regard could now have implications – in that they will not get their children into their first schools of choice.

There are, however, places still available and the department is ready to assist.

We ask parents to work together with the WCED so that we can manage this process as efficiently as possible to ensure a smooth start to 2014.