Struggling to get your child accepted into a school? WCED Minister David Maynier has advice…
Maynier stresses that the process is still in its ‘early stages’ and that there is still time for unplaced learners to be accommodated by 31 July
Kfm 94.5's Carl Wastie speaks to the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education, David Maynier.
Listen below:
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirms that applications for Grades R, one, and eight for the 2026 school year closed on 15 April 2025, with the online system officially shutting down on 16 May 2025.
While some parents have already received placement offers for their children, many are waiting, and others have been rejected for their initial school of choice, causing concern and uncertainty about their children's schooling.
Maynier explains that the admissions process is 'large and complex', involving approximately 178,000 unique applications for entry grades.
He says parents who have received placement offers still need to accept or decline them.
Once these decisions are made, around 36,000 spots will become available, allowing schools to place more learners.
"... because the system is so large and complex, we want to begin as early as possible...The system has provided initial offers to parents... we are waiting for parents to confirm offers... There are about 26,000 parents currently who have not confirmed offers, and once they begin to confirm offers they have received, about 36,000 places will be made available in the system, which then can be allocated by schools..."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
"Schools will continue between now and 31 July to make choices... So, those parents who may be frustrated, who may be disheartened, who may be concerned, there is still time, and about 36,000 places will still become available..."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
Maynier also explains that schools are making admission selections, not the WCED.
Each school has 'unique criteria', adds Maynier.
"... it's schools that are making the admission decisions, sometimes there's a perception that it's the Western Cape Education Department making admission decisions - that is not true. Schools make admission decisions, and they make those decisions in terms of unique admission policies... each school would have different criteria... in most schools, there are multiple criteria."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
"I'm very concerned and well aware that there are parents out there who may not have got an offer, and those parents are deeply concerned, possibly angry... and I understand that. What I can say is, those parents still have options... we are still in the early stages of the process."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
For parents who have received no admission offers, Maynier advises putting your child/children on a waiting list because your top school options might still become available by 31 July.
"My advice to parents who have not received an offer is, in the first instance, to approach the school and ensure your child is on a waiting list. There's still time, schools will be making admission decisions up until 31 July this year..."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
If your child is not accepted at any of your school choices, parents have between 1 August and 31 August 2025 to appeal the decision.
"If the child is not accepted at either option 1, 2 or 3, the parent would be entitled to appeal the decision... The appeals window will open on 1 August and close on 31 August... and it would be incumbent on the parent to demonstrate that a decision is potentially inconsistent with the school's admission policy, that it was unfair, or did not take account of a certain talent/aspects the child might have..."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
Maynier explained how proximity to schools and home might impact an applicant's success.
"From a system's point of view, it's a question of: how do we get a balance between making sure that we extend opportunity to as many learners as possible, but balance that with public schools taking account of proximity, which they do."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
Maynier also explains that if kids aren't placed by 31 July, the department will work 'tirelessly' to have them placed.
There will also be a window to appeal any admission decisions for 'exceptional circumstances'.
"If, after 31 July, parents still do not have a place, the Department will work tirelessly with districts, schools... to ensure that we do find a place for a child."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
"In exceptional circumstances, where a parent may feel that there has been some form of unfairness in an admission decision... or some form of discrimination... they then are welcome to appeal the decision and I am, as the responsible Minister, the appeal authority... We will open an appeal window from 1 August to 31 August, so there are checks and balances in the system..."
- David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
Maynier says parents shouldn't lose hope because there's still time.
Should parents want to appeal any decision, they can go to the WCED's website to fill out the appeal application form.
Admission policies are available online or in the admissions appeal system, explains Maynier.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.