The Western Cape education department has extended its online registrations for learners due to an increase in activity on the system.

The department says the application system, which opened on 26 February for learners who will attend public schools in the province, was initially set to close last week but this deadline has been extended to Thursday.

According to the department, the activity on the Web site over the past few days indicated some parents had left the process to the last minute, with 16 000 applications being submitted on Tuesday, 19 000 on Wednesday and 22 000 on Thursday last week.

“We have also received a number of requests from parents to accommodate an extension to allow parents to complete the last few applications. It was decided that an extension for applications for the 2022 school year would be granted up until midnight of 1 April 2021.

“There will be no further extensions beyond this point. Parents will then have had 35 days to apply. We believe that come 1 April, parents have been given ample time to get the necessary documents together and complete their applications,” the department says in a statement.

“Parents must apply to at least three schools, including the ones closest to your home, and order their preference on the system.

“We ask that parents please cooperate with this plea to apply before Thursday. Should they still fail to do so, they will still be able to apply, but it will be registered as a late application.”

The department added that applications can be made either online or through a paper-based application process. Should parents not have access to technology, they must ask the relevant school for the application form.

The department has also created two video tutorials to assist parents to navigate the registration and application process online.