Ensure your child is enrolled now

POLOKWANE – It is once again that time of the year when parents have to apply for their children’s admissions to schools for next year.

Applications for registration at any public school in the province can be made between July 20 until October 2.

A gr. R applicant must be four years old, turning five years or older by June 30 next year and an applicant for gr. 1 must be five years old and turning six years or older by June 30 next year.

According to the department of education, no school may treat a child unfairly and no public school may require a child to write an admission test or prevent a child from coming to school because parents cannot pay school fees.

To register the following documents are compulsory:

• Application form from the school.

• Official birth certificate.

• Immunisation card.

• If you are moving a child from one school to another, submit the latest school report and a transfer card.

If a child is not a South African citizen, the following documents must be included:

• A study permit.

• Temporary or permanent residence permit or proof of application for permission to stay in South Africa.

Asked if parents who worked and could not get off from work could send someone to register their children, head of communication at the department of education, Dr Naledzani Rasila said it was advisable to go in person. “This is so that you can respond should there be questions of clarity; guardians are welcome but not just anybody,” he said.

Rasila added that those who applied to schools far away from their residential addresses would be provided with a waiting list number and would be contacted before the closing date.

“Should a child not get accepted, schools will assist with information to where they can appeal. However, we advise parents not to relax when they are on a waiting list, but to apply to a number of schools even while preparing the appeal,” Rasila said.