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By Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng has recorded over 600,000 successful online applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2026 academic year so far.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said on Tuesday that the department’s online admissions system had recorded 600,936 applications, comprising 254,251 for Grade 1 and 346,685 for Grade 8.
“The phenomenal number of applications we’ve received is a concrete demonstration of the trust parents place in Gauteng’s education system. We are grateful to all parents for their co-operation, and we continue to urge all parents to apply online,” Chiloane said in a statement.
The system opened less than two weeks ago and will remain open until 29 August.
Parents and guardians must complete the 5-step application process on the department’s website to ensure their applications are considered.
Incomplete applications will not be processed.
After registering, applicants must upload certified documents online or submit them physically to all selected schools within seven days of applying.
Documents uploaded online need only be submitted once, as all selected schools will have access to them via the system.
The system supports real-time document verification, prompting schools to update the status of submitted documents and alerting parents via SMS once verification is complete.
Schools also receive automated alerts when new documents are uploaded.
To improve placement chances, parents are encouraged to apply to a minimum of three and a maximum of five schools and to provide a valid cellphone number, as all communication, including placement offers, will be sent via SMS.
Placement offers will begin rolling out from 16 October.
To ensure access for parents without digital tools, the department has made support available through 81 decentralised walk-In centres and all Gauteng public schools, where trained officials assist with online applications. The department reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and efficient admissions process that ensures every child has access to quality
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