Free State Education MEC, Tate Makgoe calls on all parents and guardians to have their children’s Identity Documents (ID) or birth certificates with them when applying for admission for 2015. The opening date for admissions is 17 June 2014.
Makgoe says the availability of these documents would make it easier for principals to enforce the relevant section of the admission policy when presented to the school.
Encouraging all parents to start registering their children for 2015, Makgoe says by complying with the legislation when applying, this would ensure that effective learning and teaching starts on the first day of reopening of schools next year.
“We would like to move away from concentrating on admission processes in January but start teaching as soon as possible to produce quality results” says Makgoe.
The Department has taken measures to support principals by reaching an agreement with the Department of Home Affairs to assist with this process on the principals’ request, to assist parents to also comply with the admission policy.
According to the Section 15 of the Admission Policy in the National Education Policy Act of 1996 which states “When a parent applies for the admission of a learner to an ordinary public school, the parent must present an official birth certificate of the learner to the principal of the public school. If a parent is unable to submit the birth certificate, the learner may be admitted conditionally until a copy of the birth certificate is obtained”
Other documents required are:
• Immunisation card
• Proof of address
• Transfer letter and 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. It is however the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the admission of the learner is finalized within three months of the conditional admission.
All children between the ages of 7 and 15 are compelled to attend school. Parents should ensure that all learners of this age are registered and they attend school regularly.
Parents are advised to register learners to schools close to their home or workplace and request a waiting list number in writing from schools.
Children who are four turning five by 30 June in 2014 may be registered for Grade R next year while those who are five turning six by June 2014 may be admitted to Grade 1 next year.
A public school may not administer any test for admission or ask for salary slips or monthly income.
The closing date for admission is 01 September 2014.
Issued by Free State Department of Education
