REGISTRATION for school places for the next academic year is now open.

REGISTRATION for school places for the next academic year is now open.

Basic Education spokesperson Granville Whittle said: "As stipulated in the South African Schools Act of 1996, all children between the ages of seven and 15 are compelled to attend school. Parents and guardians should ensure that all pupils of this age are registered to go to school and attend school regularly."

Registration starts this month and ends in October.

Education psychologist Melanie Hartgill said choosing a school was a tough decision for parents.

"From the age of about five, we start to share our responsibilities with regard to our children's development with their school, which includes their teachers and peers," she said.

"So it makes sense that we need to be very careful about how we choose the right school. This decision will affect who they become."

Hartgill said the most important thing when looking for a school was who your child was and what his or her interests and strengths were.

"You should also think of academic focus - are you looking for a school that demands excellence in the classroom? Some schools are highly pressured academically and put all the focus on achieving good results, sometimes even excluding the development of other areas that ensure the development of a well-rounded personality.