education.gov.za : Grade R & Grade 1 Admission of Learners to Public Schools South Africa

Organisation : Department of Basic Education
Facility Name : Admission of Learners to Public Schools
Applicable For : Grade R & Grade 1 Children
Website : https://www.education.gov.za/Informationfor/ParentsandGuardians/SchoolAdmissions.aspx

South Africa School Admissions

As stipulated in the South African Schools Act of 1996, all children between the ages of 7 and 15 are compelled to attend school. Parents and guardians should ensure that all learners of this age are registered to go to school and that their children attend school regularly.

It is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to ensure that their children are registered for the following year, well before the end of the current school year. Parents may register children who are supposed to start school next year, near their home or workplace between April and October of each year. It is however important to check the registration deadlines of individual provinces.

Eligibility

The admission age of a learner to a public school to,
** Grade R is age four turning five by 30 June in the year of admission;
** Grade 1 is age five turning six by 30 June in the year of admission.

The principal of the school must give a parent/guardian the admission policy of the school and explain it. A public school may not administer any test for admission to a school.

Documents Required

** Birth certificate (Note that baptismal certificates will not be regarded as proof of birth date)
** Immunisation card; and
** Transfer card or last school report card for learners who have been to school previously.

Additional documents required if one is not a South African citizen are:
** Study Permit
** Temporary or permanent residence permit from the Department of Home Affairs; or
** Evidence that you have applied for permission to stay in South Africa

Public (or) Independent School?

You are free to choose whether to register your child at a public school or at an independent school. Public schools are state controlled and independent schools are privately governed. Independent schools must be registered with the Provincial Education Department. Public schools must be established by the MEC for education in the province.

You can check with the Provincial Education Department if the school you wish to enrol your child in is registered before you make any registrations and payments.

Contact

Provincial Learner Admissions Coordinators

Eastern Cape:
Mr S Manzi
c. 082 083 5611
skumbuzo.manzi@ecdoe.gov.za

Free State:
Mr Thloriso Motholo
t. 0514474038 | c. 079 503 5955
ThlorisoMotholo@gmail.com

Gauteng:
Ms Sybil Paddy
t. 011 355 0656 | c. 082 927 9584
Sybil.Paddy@gauteng.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal:
Mr E Manganyi
c. 082 870 1761
Eric.Manganyi@kzndoe.gov,za

Limpopo:
Mr M R Rasethaba
c. 0828817439
mmarwalarasethaba@gmail.com

Northern Cape:
Mr T Daniels
c. 079 196 7707
Tikoedaniels@gmail.com

North West:
Dr M Teu
t. 018 397 3097 | c. 079 515 6269
mteu@nwpg.gov.za

Mpumalanga:
Mr P S Zwane
t. 013 766 5866/64 | c. 080 020 3116

Western Cape:
Mr L R Abrahams
t. 021 467 2364 | c. 082 654 2131
Lance.Abrahams@westerncape.gov.za

Facts of Department of Basic Education

The Department of Basic Education is responsible for overseeing education in South Africa from early childhood development to grade 12. Here are some facts about the department:

Mandate:
The Department of Basic Education is responsible for developing and implementing education policies, providing resources for schools, and monitoring the quality of education in the country.

Key Responsibilities:
The department’s key responsibilities include ensuring that every child has access to quality education, improving the quality of teaching and learning, developing and implementing curriculum, and supporting teacher development.

School System:
The school system in South Africa is divided into three phases: Foundation Phase (grades R-3), Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6), and Senior Phase (grades 7-9).