WCED Archives - Page 3 of 15 - Voice of the Cape

More than 80 000 applications received for 2026 academic year

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that more than 80,000 applications for the 2026 academic year have been received since the online portal opened on 11 March 2025. Speaking on Ramadan AM, WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said they had encountered minimal challenges compared to the previous year. “We noted an issue with resetting passwords; however, this was quickly resolved as a reset button is available on the portal. […]

19 March 2025

Cape Town

Parent Raises Alarm Over Bullying at Cape Flats High School

By Kouthar Sambo A distressed parent has alerted VOC News to allegations of bullying at Heideveld High School, where her daughter is a student. The Incident According to the irate mother, the bullying originated from a WhatsApp group titled "Heideveld High's Gossip," created with the apparent intent to intimidate, torment, and harass learners. "Someone created the WhatsApp channel anonymously. My daughter clicked on the link, not realizing she was joining […]

14 March 2025

Features

WCED addresses 2025 school placement challenges

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is in the process of placing 1,586 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners approximately 1.2% of applicants for the 2025 school year. As of February 7, 2025, a total of 131,800 applications, or 98.8%, have already been processed. Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier addressed the challenge of oversubscribed schools, explaining that some learners who registered have not enrolled, creating available spaces. “What we […]

12 February 2025

Local

WCED urges public to stop sharing videos of learners being bullied

The distribution of recordings depicting schoolchildren fighting has been denounced by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). According to the WCED, a video of a recent assault on a female student at Lotus High School has gone viral on social media. According to WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, the bullying is being perpetuated by individuals who share the recordings and pictures. "These incidents portray a deep lack of humanity and compassion […]

7 February 2025

Local

Results from the WCED systemic test surpass 2019 scores

The 2024 annual systemic test results have surpassed pre-Covid-19 levels. Western Cape Education Minister David Maynier claimed that while the other grades and subjects are rapidly catching up, the pass rates for Grade 3 Language and Grade 9 Mathematics are now higher than they were in 2019. “The Western Cape is the only province in the country to conduct annual systemic testing in both Mathematics and Language for learners in […]

28 January 2025

Local

WCED expresses concern around the increase in school vandalism during school breaks

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is extremely concerned about the rise in the number of schools that have experienced burglaries and vandalism over the school break. The department said these incidents not only destroys school property, but it also means that resources that help students succeed academically are hampered. According to Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for Western Cape Ministry of Education Minister David Maynier, 34 schools reported 47 instances of […]

28 January 2025

Local

WCED says matric exam papers will go through marking process next week

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that the marking procedure for the 2024 National Senior Certificate exams which concluded on Wednesday is set to start next week. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Thursday, WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the exam process went smoothly, with minor hiccups. She further added that individuals who have been registered to mark the matric exam papers will receive training this weekend. “The marking […]

28 November 2024

Local

WCED stresses that help is available to matric learners facing challenges amid final exams

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has urged matric learners to seek help should they have any difficulties with their examination proceedings. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said matric learners have completed more than half of their final exams and the closer it gets to the end mark; pressure can become too much for learners to endure. “Please remember that if you are struggling with the pressure and anxiety of the […]

12 November 2024

Local

WCED urges caution amid food poisoning cases

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has encouraged learners and parents to be vigilant as cases of suspected food poisoning are doing the rounds in various parts of South Africa. The WCED confirmed 20 learners from a school in Mfuleni were rushed to a hospital for medical treatment after they complained of having stomach cramps this week. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the cause of the stomach cramps remains unknown. […]

8 November 2024

WCED

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