The Department of Basic Education calls on parents and guardians to register their age-appropriate children to attend school next year from the beginning of the third school term.
As stipulated in the South African Schools Act of 1996, all children between the ages of seven and 15 are compelled to attend school. Parents and guardians should ensure that all learners of this age are registered to go to school and that their children attend school regularly.
It is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to ensure that their children are registered for the following year, well before the end of the current school year. Parents may register children who are supposed to start school next year, near their home or workplace between July and October 2010. It is however important to check the registration deadlines of individual provinces.
Children who are four years turning five by 30 June 2011 may be registered for Grade R next year while those who are five years turning six by June 2011 may be admitted to Grade 1.
The principal of the school must give a parent/guardian the admission policy of the school and explain it. A public school may not administer any test for admission to a school. Documents that are needed when making an application include the:
- Birth certificate (Note that baptismal certificates will not be regarded as proof of birth date)
- Immunisation card
- Transfer card or last school report card for learners who have been to school previously.
Additional documents required if one is not a South African citizen are:
- Study Permit
- Temporary or permanent residence permit from the Department of Home Affairs
- Evidence that you have applied for permission to stay in South Africa.
A child may be registered provisionally if these documents are not available and the parent / guardian must be given reasonable time to submit them.
For more information of admission to public schools please call the Department of Basic Education call centre on 0800 202 933 or visit http://www.education.gov.za
Source: Department of Education
