Education Ministry: Primary school places for all eligible children

In a release to the media, the Ministry of Education assured parents that all students expected to enter primary school in September would be placed at a school. It stressed schools should not deny any child who lived within the catchment area of three kilometres of the school, as long as there was space for another pupil.

However, principals were advised to inform the Ministry of Education via the education district offices if requests for admission exceeded the school’s capacity so that the ministry could find a solution.

Before visiting the education district offices however, parents are asked to ensure that their children met the entry requirement for primary school.

The requirements indicate that the child must be five years old, but if the child was not yet five when the school year begins in September, they may be admitted on the first day of the term after they become five. Children must also reside within the catchment area.