This is according to the provincial spokesperson for the Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe. Van der Merwe explained that the department will only be accepting online applications for the 2021 academic year. He says this new system will prevent parents from queuing at schools and district offices seeking placement for their children - as seen throughout the years.

Van der Merwe adds that the MEC for Education, Mac Jack, is expected to launch the online admission system in August this year. Applications will be open from the 1st of September.

Parents who do not have the required tools to access online applications can visit walk-in centres in their districts, made available by the department for assistance. 

“The online admission system will assist in curbing late admission applications after the closing date, backlog of placements and also assist with social distancing and adhere to the Covid-19 regulations, particularly in preferred schools,” Van der Merwe explained.

He says the department has been administering the online application process for the past two years to pilot the system.

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