WESTERN CAPE SCHOOL PLACEMENT CLAIMS SPARK BACKLASH

Department hails rapid admissions drive

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that over 26000 learners have been placed across the province with 1870 yet to be accommodated. Education watchdogs and political parties, however, have criticised the numbers, citing it was not a true reflection of the reality faced by many.

Bronagh Hammond, director of Communications for the WCED, said that since the beginning of January, the department has placed 26312 Grade R, 1, and 8 learners across the province.

"This is in addition to the tens of thousands of learners placed during 2025. Despite having placed 96% of all learners who applied last year including late applications submitted up to December 10 - the WCED experienced an unprecedented number of new extremely late applications at the start of 2026," Hammond explained.

She added that since the beginning of January, the WCED received 25065 new, extremely late applications for Grades R, 1 and 8. As of February 6, for Grade 8, the WCED has placed 99.6% of learners for whom applications were received, with placement in progress for 396 learners.

In Grade 1, placement is in progress for 326 learners, representing a placement rate of over 99% and for Grade R, placement is in progress for 1148 learners. 13 905 extremely late applications were received for Grade R this year.