By Levy Masiteng 

Gauteng’s education department said 1,174 learners applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8 admission in 2026 remained unplaced.

The department said on Tuesday that capacity pressures in high-demand areas, particularly in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, contributed to lack of placements.

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“The majority of learners who applied for placement in Gauteng for Grade 1 and Grade 8 have already been successfully placed in public schools across the province,” the department said.

The unplaced learners include 882 Grade 1 learners and 292 Grade 8 learners, the department said.

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“While placement at preferred schools may not always be immediately possible, we are actively working with schools to identify available spaces and finalise outstanding placements as a matter of urgency,” it said.

“We wish to reassure parents that all qualifying learners will be accommodated, and ongoing engagements with schools aim to ensure fair and timely placement,” it added.

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