SCHOOLS in the Western Cape have received a record number of applications for Grade R, 1 and 8 for 2026.

The on-time application window for these applications closed on 15 April 2025.

According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) it has received 164 565 applications, an increase of 12 577 compared to 2024. This represents the highest number of on-time applications received to date.

The Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier, thanked parents for taking the responsible action of applying.

“We cannot overstate the importance of applying on time and how this assists us to plan better for additional school places in the coming school year,” said Mr. Maynier. 

Schools will now consider all of the applications received, select successful applicants and make offers of acceptance to parents from 30 May 2025. Parents will need to confirm their acceptance by 17 June 2025.

“The most important thing that parents can do now before the outcomes are available is to ensure that they update the department if their contact details change. Every year, we face challenges with parents who are uncontactable when an offer is available for their child, so we urge parents to assist us by providing accurate details,” said Mr Maynier.

Parents can contact the WCED call centre on 0861 819 919 (press 1 for admissions) to make the necessary changes to their contact details.