By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Gauteng’s online admissions system recorded 210 055 Grade 1 and Grade 8 school applications within its first four hours on Wednesday, according to the provincial Department of Education.

The system opened at 08:00 and had reached the figure by noon, with Education MEC Lebogang Maile urging parents and guardians not to wait until the closing days of the application period.

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The total represents applications submitted to schools rather than necessarily 210 055 individual learners, as parents are required to apply to between three and five schools for each child.

The department said 12 058 parents had already joined the online queue between 07:30 and 07:59, before the system officially opened.

It said the application process had proceeded smoothly without any major technical incidents.

The highest demand during the opening hours was recorded in the Ekurhuleni South and Tshwane West education districts.

Among secondary schools, Hoërskool Langenhoven in Tshwane West received 1 168 applications, followed by Alberton High School with 1 098 and Hoërskool Akasia with 917.

At primary-school level, Rachel de Beer Primary School received 474 applications, Laerskool Akasia received 461 and Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees received 411.

The figures are expected to change as more parents submit applications during the month-long admissions period.

Gauteng currently provides public education to 2 415 346 learners at 2 111 public ordinary schools across the province’s 15 education districts, according to the department.

The province has 1 417 public primary schools and 694 secondary schools, including 37 Schools of Specialisation.

The department said learner enrolment had increased by more than 23 000 over the past year, equivalent to the capacity of approximately 19 additional schools accommodating about 1 200 learners each.

The Gauteng Online Admissions System was introduced in 2015 to replace physical queues outside schools with a centralised digital application and placement platform.

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The department said the number of learners placed through the system had increased annually for 10 consecutive years, with approximately 400 000 entry-grade learners placed during the 2025 admissions cycle.

Improvements introduced for the 2027 admissions process include greater system stability during periods of high demand, faster processing times, enhanced document verification and automated SMS reminders and notifications.

Parents can also view each school’s Language of Learning and Teaching, Home Language and First Additional Language offerings before submitting an application.

The department said the changes followed consultations with parents, school governing body associations, principals, district officials and provincial call-centre agents.

Maile urged parents and guardians to apply early to allow enough time to upload documents and resolve any outstanding issues.

Parents must complete all five application steps, apply to at least three and no more than five schools, and upload or submit certified supporting documents within seven days of submitting their applications.

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The department also warned parents about fraudsters and scammers who falsely claim to represent it or promise guaranteed school placements in exchange for money.

It said that the online admissions process was free and that no person, company or organisation was authorised to charge parents or influence learner placements.

Parents who need assistance can visit the department’s 48 decentralised walk-in centres, 15 district offices, the provincial head office or any public school in Gauteng.

The department also encouraged young people to assist parents, grandparents and elderly community members who may have difficulty using the online system.

Applications are scheduled to close on Friday, 4 September 2026. Parents and guardians can apply through the official Gauteng admissions website at https://www.gdeadmissions.gov.za./

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