Ministry opens applications for grades 1 and 8

The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture on Wednesday announced the commencement of applications for grades 1 and 8 for 2025.

The application period will run from 15 May to 14 June.

This was confirmed by a notice the ministry sent out on 13 May.

Parents lined up outside Orban Primary School on Wednesday morning, hoping to secure a spot for their children for 2025.

Principal Jan Cloete said the school caters to 35 pupils per class and can accommodate about 200 applications.

“If there is space available after then, for sure we try to accommodate everyone. We don’t want our children to be at home instead of at school, so we will try our level best,” Cloete said.

He said 25 pupils per teacher is prescribed.

Cloete said on rare occasions, the school will allow 40 pupils per class.

Maanga, the aunt of twins who need placement in Grade 1 for 2025, said she was denied two applications when she could not provide hard copy proof that she needed two applications.

“When I got to the office I saw there were about four applications left, and I told her I needed two applications, and she said that I need to provide two certified copies of the twins’ birth certificates,” Maanga said.

Deputy executive director of education, arts and culture Edda Bohn says: “As per last year’s circular, yes, the admission campaigns run from mid-May to the end of July. Then schools and regional admission committees start working on these.”