The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has announced the closure of the on-time application window for Grade R, 1, and 8 admissions for the 2027 school year, confirming that the parents of 166,144 learners applied before the midnight deadline on 14 April 2026.
Education MEC David Maynier, thanked parents who participated in the on-time window, stating they were “taking responsibility and applying on time, to help us plan for a place in a school for their children”.
The focus now shifts to the final deadline for late submissions, as the online portal remains open until 17 May 2026. The department emphasised that late applications will only be considered by schools after all applications received during the on-time window have been processed.
Key Dates for On-Time Applicants
For those who applied by the April 14 deadline, the next critical steps involve the release of application outcomes and the confirmation period:
- Application Outcomes: Schools will now apply their admissions policies to the on-time applications. The outcomes will become available online from 28 May 2026 onwards.
- Confirmation Deadline: Parents must confirm their choice of place by 15 June 2026.
- Multiple Offers:Â Parents who receive more than one offer but fail to select a choice by the June 15 deadline will be automatically confirmed to their top-ranked school choice.
Relocation Transfers
A separate application window will open later in the year for transfer requests. Parents wishing to move their child to a different school for Grades 2–7 or 9–12 due to relocation will have from 3 August 2026 to 17 August 2026 to submit a request.
The WCED urged all parents who have applied to ensure their contact details are up to date so they can be reached when outcomes are made available.
Weekend Argus Reporter
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