Pretoria: Cabinet has encouraged learners in matric to apply for admission to the post-schooling institutions of their choice now, rather than wait, said acting Cabinet spokesperson, Phumla Williams on Friday.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in collaboration with the South African Qualifications Authority, has embarked on a campaign – dubbed “Apply Now” – which encourages high school learners to apply for admission to the post-schooling institutions of their choice early in order to avoid the disappointment which usually accompanies late applications.

Through the campaign, the department aims to reduce the last-minute rush experienced at most of the universities at the beginning of each academic year.

The campaign targets Grade 9 to 12 learners in all 6000 of the public high schools in the country.

When taking the campaign to learners in Pretoria in August, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana, said the campaign was triggered by the realisation by government that not all learners in schools receive proper career guidance and this had lead them to missing the opportunities available to them.

Addressing the media on Friday, Williams said that Cabinet had also noted that the 2012 Annual National Assessments were currently underway.

Williams noted that the assessment was being supported by a national awareness campaign on how the continuous assessment of the impact of the country’s education system prepares learners for effective learning.

“The assessment represents one of the most significant, proactive interventions by Government to measure and strengthen the foundational skills of literacy and numeracy among learners,” Williams said.