WCED Archives - Voice of the Cape

WCED Assures Foundation Phase Learning Will Continue Amid Catalogue Suspension

By: Oyisa George The Western Cape Education Department says teaching and learning in Foundation Phase classrooms will not be disrupted despite the continued suspension of the 2026 Foundation Phase National Catalogue. This follows Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s decision to maintain the suspension while the legal implications surrounding the procurement process are being considered. Provinces have been advised that the existing catalogue of previously approved Foundation Phase materials will remain […]

2 September 2026

Local

Grade 10 Learner Suspended After Stabbing Incident at AZ Berman High

The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) has confirmed that a Grade 10 learner from AZ Berman High School in Mitchells Plain has been suspended after allegedly stabbing several classmates during an incident on Wednesday. WCED spokesperson Milicent Merton said the learner reportedly used a screwdriver to carry out the attack. “The injured learners received medical attention, and a social worker provided counselling support to the learners involved in the […]

11 September 2025

Local

Gang Violence Fears Spark Panic at Mitchell’s Plain School

By Ragheema Mclean Panic broke out at Princeton Secondary School in Woodlands, Mitchell’s Plain, on Thursday morning after rumours spread that armed gang members had entered the premises. Alarmed parents rushed to the school to fetch their children, fearing for their safety. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed it had been alerted to an alleged threat and immediately activated safety protocols. “It is not clear if this threat was […]

4 September 2025

Local

WCED Urges Learners to Avoid Disruptions During Matric Exam Preparations

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has appealed to learners to refrain from disruptive behaviour as matriculants prepare for their final examinations. This comes after an incident at Vista High School in Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap, where students allegedly damaged a newly installed fence on Tuesday. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that parents had been informed of the incident. She stressed that such behaviour causes unnecessary disruption to teaching and learning, […]

4 September 2025

Local

Deadline Looms for Transfer Applications

Parents and guardians in the Western Cape have just a few days left to apply for school transfers. The process applies to learners in Grades 2 to 7 and Grades 9 to 12 who are already enrolled in a school but need to move to another. DA Western Cape Education spokesperson Leon van Wyk stressed that acting early is crucial, as it allows the provincial Education Department to plan ahead […]

12 August 2025

Local

Admissions Open for 2026 School Transfers, Says WCED

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has officially opened its admissions portal for school transfer applications for the 2026 academic year. Parents and guardians who wish to transfer their children to a different public school in the province are encouraged to submit applications between 4 and 18 August 2025. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the transfer window is designed to give parents ample time to secure suitable placements for their […]

4 August 2025

Local

Western Cape Education MEC Welcomes Learners Back for Third Term

Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, has officially welcomed learners and teachers back to school as the third academic term begins. As schools across the province reopened, Maynier expressed his gratitude to parents for their efforts in keeping learners engaged and motivated during the winter break. He emphasised the ongoing importance of family and community support in ensuring a smooth transition back to the classroom. Maynier also highlighted the […]

22 July 2025

Local

WCED MEC Sends Well Wishes Ahead of School Holidays

As public schools in the Western Cape wrap up the second term on Friday, Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier has appealed to communities to keep a watchful eye on local schools during the holiday period. Maynier also encouraged the matric class of 2025 to make full use of the #BackOnTrack programme, which is aimed at supporting academic recovery and exam preparation. “The initiative is designed to support academic recovery […]

27 June 2025

Local

Deadline looms for parents to confirm 2026 school placements in WC

Deadline looms for parents to confirm 2026 school placements in Western Cape Parents have until midnight on Tuesday to confirm or defer their children’s school placements for the 2026 academic year. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has warned that after the deadline, the online admissions system will automatically confirm each learner’s top-ranked school choice—releasing thousands of reserved spots for other applicants. Education MEC David Maynier has urged parents not […]

17 June 2025

WCED

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