Latest News & Developments
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Western Cape Education Department extends deadline as over 8,600 late applications flood in for 2026 school admissions
The Western Cape Education Department has announced the opening of late applications for Grades R, 1, and 8 for the 2026 academic year, with important deadlines and contact information for parents.
Western Cape Education Department urges parents: Late registration for Grades 1 and 8 ends this Friday
Attention parents! The Western Cape Education Department is reminding you that late online registrations for Grades R, 1, and 8 close this Friday.
Education minister trumpet progress but infrastructure challenges remain
Minister Siviwe Gwarube presents progress on school infrastructure in South Africa, addressing both achievements and ongoing challenges in a recent parliamentary session.
Teachers challenge Western Cape Education Department in court over job losses
Following the loss of over 2,400 teaching posts in the Western Cape, teachers are taking the Western Cape Education Department to court, seeking reinstatement and justice for alleged unfair dismissals.
Grade 9 learner threatened with a knife after classroom joke
A Grade 9 learner in Cape Town faces threats of violence after a classroom joke leads to a bullying incident. His concerned grandmother speaks out about the alarming situation, highlighting the need for school intervention.
Urgent reminder to parents as over 25 000 Grade 7 learners have yet to apply for Grade 8
The admissions applications window opened on March 11, 2025, and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has so far received applications for 132,226 learners in Grade R, 1 or 8 next year.
Western Cape parents urged to apply for Grade R, 1, or 8 placements before deadline
Parents in the Western Cape are reminded to apply for their children's Grade R, 1, or 8 placements before the 15 April 2025 deadline, with over 132 000 applications already submitted.
Deadline approaching: Over 132,000 applications received for Grades R, 1 and 8
Parents in the Western Cape must act fast! The deadline for Grade R, 1, or 8 applications is fast approaching, with over 132 000 applications already submitted.
Six children injured in Klawer bus crash: Calls for improved school transport safety
A bus crash near Klawer injures six children, prompting urgent calls for improved school transport safety measures.
Western Cape’s R33. 259 billion education budget met with rejection over inequality concerns
Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier unveils a historic R33. 259 billion budget aimed at improving educational outcomes, supporting vulnerable learners, and addressing infrastructure needs, amidst criticism from opposition leaders and unions.
Over 33 000 Grade 7 learners in Western Cape yet to apply for Grade 8 as deadline looms
The Western Cape Education Department is calling on parents to submit applications for Grade 8 placements by April 15, 2025, as over 33,000 learners have yet to apply. Timely applications ensure effective planning and resource allocation for the upcoming academic year.
Learners win big for their schools in library competition
The winners of the 2024 School Library Competition in the Western Cape were announced, celebrating the creativity of learners and the importance of library resources in education.
Racial bullying leads to teen's arrest at De Kuilen High School amid rising cases in Western Cape
Following a surge in reported bullying incidents in Western Cape schools, a 17-year-old student has been arrested for racial bullying at De Kuilen High School. This alarming trend raises questions about school safety and the effectiveness of current measures to combat bullying.
Kuils River mother speaks out after son's earlobe is bitten off in school fight
A Kuils River mother is devastated after her son's earlobe was bitten off during a school fight, raising urgent questions about safety and school discipline.
Building on Education: Western Cape Education Department on track with Rapid School Build Programme
As part of its Rapid School Building Programme, the WCED is set to complete three additional schools, addressing the urgent need for educational infrastructure in the Western Cape.
Stabbings and bullying at Klapmuts High: urgent need for enhanced school safety
Are South African schools safe? Recent violent incidents at Klapmuts High underscore the urgent need for improved safety protocols.
Miss Glynn Crowley | a teacher's mission to improve vision and education
Discover how Miss Glynn Crowley, a dedicated teacher at Rietenbosch Primary School, is changing the lives of underprivileged pupils by ensuring they receive the vision care they need to succeed in their education.
How to apply for Western Cape school admissions | key dates for Grade R, 1, and 8 learners
The Western Cape school admissions window for Grade R, 1, and 8 learners opens on 11 March 2025 and closes on 15 April 2025.
Community protests against bullying at Delft school after disturbing incident
EFF and community members came out in solidarity with a 14-year-old boy who was dumped head-first in a toilet bowl blocked with human excrement last month.
Cosatu to strike, calls on workers to join stay away over WCED teacher cuts
COSATU and various trade unions are mobilising against the Western Cape Government's decision to cut over 2000 teacher posts, calling for a protest coinciding with the Premier's State of the Province Address.
Cosatu calls for strike over Western Cape teacher post cuts
They announced plans for a stay away, and called on all workers to support the protest action set to take place on February 26.
Cosatu to strike, calls on workers to join stay away over cut to WCED cut to teaching posts
COSATU and various trade unions are mobilising against the Western Cape Government's decision to cut over 2,000 teacher posts, calling for a protest coinciding with the Premier's State of the Province Address
Education crisis: NPO assists unplaced learners in Western Cape
A number of the late placements applications stems from children moving to the Western Cape.
WC Education Department grapples with nearly 10 000 late applications
Of the on-time applicants that applied up to 12 April 2024, placement was still in progress for 430 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners.
Scholar transport victory for Witzenberg pupils
Hundreds of children had to walk close to five kilometres to school each day and back because their homes fell 200m short of qualifying for the free transport provided by the Western Cape Education Department.