Online learner admissions for 2026 already open in Northern Cape

Early enrolment is a priority for the start of a successful school academic year. For this reason, the Northern Cape Department of Education (NCDOE) opened the 2026 online learner admissions on 14 April. It will be open until Friday, 23 May, at midnight.

This is only for Gr.R, Gr.1 and Gr.8 applications. For other grades, parents or legal guardians can apply directly to schools.

To be able to apply, parents must log on to the NCDOE Online Learner Admissions website to complete the application process which consists of three steps.

Step one is the parent/legal guardian registration, step two the learner’s profiling, and step three the application. All three steps must be completed.

Submit supporting documents

The following documents must be submitted within seven days after making an application:

South African citizens

• a copy of the parent/legal guardian ID (or sworn affidavit in a case where the parent / legal guardian does not have an identity document);
• proof of home address (a municipal account in the name of the parent with the home address used during application, or a a legal lease agreement between the tenant and the owner of the property / landlord);
• child’s birth certificate or an affidavit or a sworn statement;
• clinic card / proof of immunisation (Gr.R and Gr.1); and
• the most recent Gr.7 learner progress report.

Non-South African citizens

• learner valid study permit / asylum seeker / refugee permit / temporary or permanent residence issued by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA);
• parent/ legal guardian passport / asylum seeker / refugee permit / temporary or permanent residence issued by DHA;
• proof of home address (as above, under South African citizens);
• proof of immunisation (Gr.R and Gr.1); and
• the most recent Gr.7 learner progress report.

All the applications will be considered and recommended as successful or unsuccessful applications based on the following ranked criteria:
1. If the applicant learner(s) already has (have) a sibling attending the school of application in the year of submission (sibling means a learner who has at least one parent who is also the parent of the learner already attending that school.
2. If the place of residence of the applicant learner(s) is in the same suburb as the school applied to.
3. If the place of residence (residential suburb) of the applicant learner(s) is adjacent to the suburb of the school applied to;
4. Applicant learner(s) whose parent/ guardian is an employee at the school applied to.
5. After all the above-mentioned applicants have been offered places, other applicants, in the order of the position of the application should be recommended.

The above-mentioned directives with regard to the criteria shall not apply to special schools, schools of skill or industrial schools.

As certain areas/towns are experiencing challenges in terms of internet connectivity, 94 walk-in centres have been identified to assist parents/legal guardians without a device/gadget or internet connectivity to complete their application.

For further information and to complete the admission, visit www.ncdoeadmissions.org, alternatively dial the call centre on 053 874 7012/64; 053 874 7161/89; or 053 874 7239/92.