Schools’ online application opens with new regulations

The new online application process for Grade 1 and 8 which will go live on 13 May will commence with the new admission regulations allowing children to be enrolled in a school despite the area they live in.

The Department of Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he was excited that the application process will embark under the new administration regulations when he announced the online application date for next year’s intake of learners.

“I am excited that the process will be undertaken under new admission regulations that seek to ensure equitable access to all learners regardless of class, race or language. The regulations also define new feeder zones that aim to overcome the apartheid geography,” said Lesufi.

The amended regulations will assist learners to access a school if their place of residence is closest to the school within the feeder zone, has a sibling in the school, the place of employment of at least one parent of the applicant is within the feeder zone and the learner’s place of residence is within 30km radius of the school. However, learners residing outside the 30km radius would be accommodated when space is available.

“Parents seek the best school for their children and given our past the perception is that former Model C schools are synonymous with quality and township or rural schools are of poor quality. While this is understandable, the investment that the government has made over the past 25 years has resulted in improved quality in schools in the townships,” added Lesufi.

Lesufi urged parents to take time and evaluate the schools closest to where they live and establish its performance. He further announced that the capacity of the Admissions Online Application System has been increased to accommodate 50 000 simultaneous users.

Applications for Grade 8 in schools of focused learning or schools of specialisation, boarding schools and monastic schools should also be made online. However, application for boarding should be made directly to the school.

To make an application, parents should click on apply for 2020 and follow the prompts through the three-step process. Applications will open on 8am, 13 May this year and close on 15 July at 12pm.

Details: www.gdeadmissions.gov.za

Related articles:

https://northeasterntribune.co.za/178564/second-online-school-admission-delayed-2/

https://northeasterntribune.co.za/215386/gde-online-applications-2019-admissions-open/