Many school learners will begin or continue their education at a new school in 2024. Parents of learners starting Grade 1 and Grade 8 are required to submit school admission applications to ensure their child has a place in a classroom for the next step on their school journey.
While the Department of Basic Education (DBE) develops, maintains and supports South Africa’s education system, Provincial Education Departments (PED) implements government policies, frameworks, and guidelines on education.
Parents and guardians living within a specific province are required to submit school applications on behalf of their children during the admission application period set by the Provincial Education Department.
The method parents and guardians use to submit school applications, what documentation is required and when they will receive the outcome of their child’s application are also determined by the PED.
When 2024 School Admissions Applications Open
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has not yet confirmed the 2024 admissions application dates.
Free State
The Free State Education Department has not yet confirmed the 2024 admissions application dates.
Gauteng
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) recently announced that their Online Admissions Applications for Grades 1 and Grade 8 will open on 15 June 2023. Parents and guardians have until 14 July 2023 to submit applications.
KwaZulu-Natal
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department urged parents to register their children for the 2024 academic year. School admission applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 opened in the province on 12 April 2023.
Limpopo
The provincial education department in Limpopo wants to ensure every child of school going-age is in a school on the first day of the 2024 school year. To achieve this, the Limpopo education department opened admission applications on 15 May 2023. The application period will close on 30 September 2023.
Mpumalanga
The education department in Mpumalanga has not revealed when admission applications will open.
North West
The North West Department of Education already opened learner registrations for public schools in 2024. The application period opened on 15 May 2023. The application period will remain open until 30 September 2023.
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape Department of Education opened its 2024 Online Learner Admissions system on 22 May 2023. The online system will be open until 22 June 2023 for Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 8 applications.
Western Cape
The school admission application period in the Western Cape is closed.
Parents who require further information on school admission applications for the 2023 school year are encouraged to contact the provincial education department.
