WCED online application 2025, tracking, forms, fees, requirements

The WCED online application is for Grade R, Grade 1, and Grade 8 students. Parents and guardians who wish to send children in these grades to schools in the Western Cape province must apply online. Learn more about this below.

This article explains how to apply for your child's admission into Grade R, Grade 1, or Grade 8 in the Western Cape schools. It also explains how to know schools in the province and lists what you need during the application process.

WCED online application for school admissions

Education gives children essential skills and knowledge to survive and thrive in today's highly competitive society. If you want to send your child to the Western Cape schools, learn about the WCED online application process.

The 1996 South African Schools Act states that all kids (ages 7- 15) must get primary and secondary education. The Western Cape Education Department achieves this by ensuring pupils get quality education from Grades R to 12. Parents seeking their children's admission into Grade R, Grade 1, and Grade 8 should apply online.

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How to complete a WCED online application

The WCED online application process only applies to Grade R, Grade 1, and Grade 8 learners who wish to study in Western Cape schools. When applying, remember to choose ten schools (including ones closest to your home) and indicate your order of preference.

Parent/guardian WCED online registration process

The parent/guardian of a child in Grade R, Grade 1, or Grade 8 should register on the Western Cape Education Department's admissions portal before applying for a school for the child. Here is how to register on WCED:

• Search for the WCED admissions website on your browser.
• Click the "Admissions - Western Cape Government" link.
• Once you access the WCED admissions portal, enter your ID number and Password.

• Click "Parent Register."
• Read the terms and conditions, then tap "Yes" and "Continue."
• Complete the "Parent Register Check."
• Click "Save."
• Complete all the fields with the asterisk (*) sign.
• Click "Register."
• Enter the OTP that appears on the screen in GREEN.
• Click "Verify."
• Create your password and record it somewhere for safekeeping.
• Answer the security questions.
• Click "Register."
• You will receive an SMS confirming a successful WCED registration.
• Select "Click here to log in."
• Enter your ID number and Password.
• Click "Parent Login."
• Read the notification and click "I accept."
• Complete the profile for the Primary Parent/Guardian. The work address is optional, but parents must indicate which address schools must be used for admission purposes.
• Click "Save and return."
• Confirm the popup notification by clicking "OK."
• Complete the Secondary Parent’s Profile (optional).
• Select "Learner Application" to continue.
• Click "Log out" to end the session.

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How do you register a child on WCED?

Below is the WCED online application process for a learner:

• Search for the WCED admissions website on your browser.
• Click the "Admissions - Western Cape Government" link.
• Once you access the WCED admissions portal, enter your ID number and Password.
• Click "Parent Login."
• Read the notification and click "I accept."
• Select "Learner Application."
• Select the Grade.
• Answer the questions concerning previous schooling in the Western Cape. If "yes," search for the learner’s ID, passport, or CEMIS number. If "no," a new application must be captured.
• After answering "no, "click on "NEW application."
• Complete the compulsory fields marked with an asterisk "*" sign and click "Save" and "Next." The learner's profile will be green when you complete it.
• The reason for new applications for Grade 8 is always "Highest Grade Reached" unless the learner is relocating to the Western Cape. Complete all the fields and click "Save" and "Next." You will see green when you complete the profile.
• Choose the sports in which the learner is currently involved and any applicable leadership roles.
• Capture the award(s) achieved.
• Indicate the musical instrument(s) the learner plays.
• Enter the learner's level of music participation.
• Click "Save" and "Next."
• Select at least ten schools per learner application and click "Add School."
• When you add a school, you will receive an onscreen popup message. Answer the question and click "Save."
• Use the yellow block to arrange the schools according to preference. Select "Click here," then tap the "Choose order of preference" dialogue box. Use the arrows to move the schools to the desired places of preference, then click "Save" and "Next."
• Confirm the popup notification by clicking "OK."
• Upload your documents, then click "Next" and "OK."
• Save your scanned, certified documents according to the type of document.
• Once you submit an application, you cannot change anything. So, double-check the information you have provided and the documents you have uploaded to the WCED system.
• Read the declaration and select "Yes."
• Click "Apply."
• Confirm the popup notification by clicking "OK."
• A Confirmation of Submission message will appear onscreen.

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Once you have completed the registration, each institution will send you an e-mail confirming whether your application was successful or unsuccessful.

Parents or guardians should confirm or reject a school's offer. If you confirm an offer, submit hard copies of the supporting documents to the school accepting your application.

Requirements for parent/guardian WCED online registration

Parents seeking their children's admission into Grade R, Grade 1, and Grade 8 need the following before registering on the WCED registration portal.

• A pen and paper to record your password for safekeeping
• A valid e-mail address
• Your ID number

The following documents must be certified, scanned, and labeled to match where they will uploaded on the WCED registration portal:

• The child's last official school Report Card or results from the previously attended school
• The learner's ID, birth certificate, or a valid passport (South African)
• A study permit (foreign learners) or proof of application (study permit)
• Immunization card (Road to Health Chart) for Primary Schools only
• Proof of residence (lease agreement, rates account, an affidavit confirming residence). Retail statements and bank statements are not accepted
• A police affidavit will be required for lost or stolen documents

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Requirements for learner WCED online application

Parents seeking their children's admission into Grade R, Grade 1, and Grade 8 should ensure they and their kids have the following things before applying on the WCED admissions portal.

• A parent/guardian's ID number and WCED login password
• A parent/guardian's cellphone number and e-mail address
• A parent/guardian's emergency contact and contact details (optional)
• CEMIS number of learner(s) or any other specified identification number.

The following documents must be certified, scanned, and labeled to match where they will uploaded on the WCED application portal:

• The child's last official school Report Card or results from the previously attended school
• The learner's ID, birth certificate, or passport (South African)
• A study permit (foreign learners) or proof of application (study permit)
• Immunization card (Road to Health Chart) for Primary Schools only
• Proof of residence (lease agreement, rates account, an affidavit confirming residence). Retail statements and bank statements are not accepted
• A police affidavit will be required for lost or stolen documents

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How can you track application status on WCED

WCED will notify you that they have received your application through the e-mail you provided on the online application form. However, you can still check if SAMI (School Admissions Management Information) captured the application. Use the following WCED tracking guide:

• Visit the WCED admissions portal.
• Enter your ID number and Password.
• Click "Parent Login."
• Read the notification and click "I accept."
• Go to “Track Application Status."
• Select the name of the learner.
• Under “Application Status,” you will see if your child's application was successful, unsuccessful, or on the waiting list.
• You can select “Withdraw” or “Confirm” the application.

Most schools in the Western Cape choose learners who live around them, have siblings in the same school, or have parents who work near the school.

Applications placed on the waiting list are not guaranteed future admission. If your WCED application status is unsuccessful or you are on the waiting list, request a second chance by lodging an appeal via edumin.edumin@westerncape.gov.za to the provincial Minister of Education and attach the evidence or documents supporting your claim.

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You can also speak to your WCED district office about other placement options available to your child or engage the School Governing Body to request that the school reconsider its decision should any vacancies become available.

WCED application for Grades 2-7 and 9-12

The Western Cape Education Department treats Grades 2-7 and 9-12 applications as transfer requests and provides downloadable transfer forms on the WCED website.

You can also obtain them from your nearest district offices, shopping malls, and schools. The WCED Transfer Request Form, plus the supporting documents, must be submitted to the school of choice or nearest district office, where the request will be captured on the system.

The Western Cape Education Department only considers application forms that are completely filled out, without errors, and have all the necessary documents attached.

How to know schools located in the Western Cape province

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To know schools located in the Western Cape province:

• Visit the WCED admissions website.
• Click on the Find A School.

• The system will display the Main Menu on the left.
• Select the category of schools you are looking for from the menu.

WCED school fees

The WCED school application is free. The Western Cape government divides public schools into five groups based on the development level of the areas where the institutions are located. As a result, there are different modes of tuition fee payment depending on the category the school falls in.

Quintile 1 schools are in inferior regions where most students are from impoverished homes. Quintile 5 schools are in developed areas where most students come from wealthy families.

Based on this rating, the government subsidizes schools from Quintile 1 to 3 (also known as "no-fee schools"). Meanwhile, schools in Quintiles 4 and 5 are "fee-charging schools."

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WCED compensates 97% of fee-paying schools. Hence, over 81,000 learners whose parents struggle to pay fees receive financial support. Parents qualify for exemption from fee payment if the amount is more than 10% of the parents' combined annual salary.

They can apply for partial exemption, which is between 2% and 10% of their annual salary, depending on the number of children they have at a fee-paying public school. Meanwhile, a learner is exempted from paying school fees if;

• They are orphans or were abandoned by their parents.
• The child receives a poverty-linked state social grant.
• The parents applied for an exemption from paying school fees, which was granted by the governing body.

Inquire about WCED fee exemptions from:

Jessica Shelver

• Tel: 021 483 6570
• Cell: 076 175 0663
• E-mail: Jessica.Shelver@westerncape.gov.za

Are WCED school applications open?

WCED 2024/25 admissions applications for Grades 1 and 8 are from 11 March to 12 April 2024, while Grade R & Transfers applications will start on 1 August and close on 16 August 2024.

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Parents/guardians of Grades 1 and 8 learners must confirm acceptance of placements at schools between 29 May and 14 June 2024. After 14 June 2024, parents/guardians will only have three additional days to accept a placement at a school.

Parents/guardians must confirm acceptance of placements in Grade R and transfer applications between 17 and 30 September 2024. After 30 September 2024, parents/guardians will only have three additional days to accept a transfer or Grade R placement.

Appeals to the Provincial Minister for Grade 1 and 8 applications open on 1 August 2024, and appeals for the remaining grades, including Grade R, will open on 1 October 2024.

What are the WCED requirements?

Parents seeking their children's admission into Grade R, Grade 1, and Grade 8 in the Western Cape schools should have these things:

• A parent/guardian's ID number and WCED login password.
• A parent/guardian's cellphone number and e-mail address
• A parent/guardian's emergency contact and contact details (optional)
• A parent/guardian's emergency contact and contact details (optional)
• The child's CEMIS number of learner(s) or any other specified identification number

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These documents must be certified, scanned, and labelled to match where they will uploaded on the WCED application portal:

• The child's last official school Report Card or results from the previously attended school
• The learner's ID, birth certificate, or passport (South African)
• A study permit (foreign learners) or proof of application (study permit)
• Immunization card (Road to Health Chart) for Primary Schools only
• Proof of residence (lease agreement, rates account, an affidavit confirming residence). Retail statements and bank statements are not accepted
• A police affidavit will be required for lost or stolen documents

Parents/guardians need all of the above when registering themselves on the WCED admissions portal and applying to schools for their children on the same platform.

What age is Grade 1 in South Africa?

Children in South Africa usually start Grade 1 at age 7. Those turning six during the year can start school if they are ready. The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) has a screening test for younger children to determine whether they are prepared for school.

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What age is Grade R in the Western Cape?

The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) considers a child age four turning five by 30 June in the year of admission eligible for Grade R admission. Meanwhile, Grade 1 is age five, turning six by 30 June in the year of admission.

Where can you get WCED free resources?

The WCED e-portal has all the resources teachers, learners, and parents need. Register on the portal and log in to access the WCED lesson plans and WCED school calendar.

Can a foreign child go to public school in South Africa?

Undocumented foreign children can be enrolled in South African schools, but the parents must arrange documentation for them.

Can a school refuse a child without a birth certificate in South Africa?

A copy of a birth certificate is essential when admitting a child to school in South Africa. Nevertheless, if the document is unavailable, the school must accept the learner on the condition that a birth certificate will be provided later.

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What is the WCED school calendar?

The 2024 school calendar is as follows:

2024 WCED school calendar

2024 public holidays

How to get your WCED payslip online?

Register on the EDD system to get all your payslips. All employees with WCG Schools email addresses receive ePayslip emails from the Electronic Document Delivery (EDD) system.

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Parents and guardians should complete the WCED online application before the last minute. Instead, apply to schools in the Western Cape on time to give officials enough time to allocate schools to children.

Briefly.co.za published a guide about South Africa's education system to enlighten parents and guardians. International students are highly welcome.

The article shares essential facts about SA's education system. SA's education system is better than the system some countries use. Some parents unknowingly send their children to countries with lower education systems.

Source: Briefly News