About enrolling your child in a public or independent school

You must enroll your child in a school between 1 August and 31 September of the preceding year. A Grade R applicant must be four years turning five or older by 30 June the next year and an applicant for grade one must be five years and turning six or older by 30 June the next year.

You are free to choose whether to register your child at a public school or at an independent school. Public schools are state controlled and independent schools are privately governed. Independent schools must be registered with the Provincial Education Department and Public schools must established by the MEC for education in the province.

You can check with the department if the school you wish to enroll your child in is registered before you make any registrations and payments.

Note: No school may treat your child unfairly and no public school may require your child to write an admission test, or prevent your child from coming to school because you have not paid or cannot pay the school fees.

What you should do

• Apply a year before at a school near you (between 1 August and 31 October).
• Submit your child’s birth certificate or immunisation card and proof of residence.
• If you are moving your child from one school to another, submit latest school report, proof of residence and a transfer card. If your child is not a South African citizen, include the following documents:
  • study permit 
  • temporary or permanent residence permit or proof that you have applied for permission to stay in South Africa.

Timeframe

It takes between one day and six weeks to register a child at school.

How much does it cost

School fees vary from school to school.

Forms to complete

Application forms are available at schools.

Who to contact