Parents and guardians in the Western Cape can expect to hear the outcome of their child’s Grade R, 1 or 8 on-time applications from 28 May for the 2027 academic year.
Once placement offers have been made, parents will need to confirm their preferred school by 15 June 2026.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond explained that if parents who receive multiple offers have not accepted an offer by the deadline, they will automatically be confirmed to their top-ranked choice.
“Please, if you have multiple offers, please make that final decision as quickly as possible and release the other positions back into the system.”
He encouraged parents not to be discouraged if their child is not immediately placed.
An estimated 64,000 places are expected to become available by 15 June as parents make their decision.
“It’s not the end of the road by any means. This is the first process that’s been followed, and many opportunities are going to come up.”
There will be significant movement in placements over the weeks that follow, and learners who aren’t initially successful often receive placement shortly afterwards.
Schools will contact parents directly should space become available.
“Many, many thousands of learners will get phone calls in the coming weeks and months about their application being successful,” said Hammond.
Parents looking to transfer learners into other grades due to relocation will have a separate application window from 3 August to 17 August.
Chante Ho Hip
www.ewn.co.za