The Department of Basic Education has raised serious concerns about discriminatory admission practices in Western Cape schools, saying some schools are using criteria that could disadvantage poorer and marginalised learners.

The National Briefing · Aug 21, 2026 · 5m

The Department of Basic Education has raised serious concerns about discriminatory admission practices in Western Cape schools, saying some schools are using criteria that could disadvantage poorer and marginalised learners. But the Western Cape Education Department strongly rejects allegations of racial profiling, saying its own review of 10 high-demand schools found no evidence that race is being used as a factor in admissions.

Guest: Bronagh Hammond - Western Cape Education Department spokesperson