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Staff Reporter
With the deadline fast approaching to enrol Grade 1 or Grade 8 scholars into schools in Gauteng for the 2024 academic year, there is help for parents who might need more support with the online application process.
Mohlago Ndebele, Service Team Lead at SPARK Schools, offers suggestions and tips to guide parents and guardians through the process.
“You cannot delay your application until the end of the year to secure a spot for your child in the school of your choice. Gauteng has hundreds of thousands of parents applying for schools, especially for Grade 1. The application process might feel daunting, but if parents and guardians do a little homework and preparation, the process should go much smoother,” she says.
Application tips and suggestions:
Visit the school website: Set some time aside to go through the school of your choice application process to understand what you will need to ensure your application is successful. Look at the documents required and ensure you have them all. If you need clarification on the documents, call the school’s enrollment team to assist you with the list of documents. Most schools require the following documents: birth certificate of the child, proof of parent’s residence, immunisation card (Grade 1), latest report card, and parent or guardian ID.
Pay attention to the details: Check before proceeding with the application; for example, ensure that you choose the correct grade and add the proper age to the application. It’s well worth reading the form carefully and double-checking when you are done.
Don’t assume anything: Submit the required documents and pay to ensure the space is secured. Also, having a sibling at the school does not provide automatic enrolment for a younger child. You still have to apply for a position; do not delay the application, or you might have to find a new school for the younger sibling.
Follow up: Once you’ve applied, call the school or their enrolment office to check progress. Checking your application is essential to know if anything is missing or any issues might delay your application.
Visit the school: If your application is complete, visit the school. This is a great way to learn about the school values and the environment your child will learn from. You can also ensure that the school fits your child correctly.
“The application process might seem intimidating. However, it doesn’t need to be. With these easy steps, your child will be enrolled in no time,” says Ndebele.
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