Alberton High School has emerged as one of Gauteng’s most sought-after schools after receiving 1 098 applications on the first day of the 2027 Gauteng Online Admissions process.

The online application system officially opened at 08:00 on August 5. By 12:00, the Gauteng Department of Education had received 210 055 applications for Grade One and Grade Eight, reflecting continued strong demand for places in the province’s public schools.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, said the admissions system had a successful start, with no major technical problems reported during the first few hours.

Even before the system went live, 12 058 parents and guardians had already joined the online queue between 07:30 and 07:59, ready to submit their applications as soon as the portal opened.

The highest demand was recorded in the Ekurhuleni South and Tshwane West districts. Hoërskool Langenhoven in Tshwane West received the highest number of secondary school applications with 1 168, followed by Alberton High School and Hoërskool Akasia with 917.

Among primary schools, Rachel de Beer Primary School received 474 applications, Laerskool Akasia received 461, while Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees received 411.

The Gauteng education system currently serves more than 2.4 million learners through 2 111 public ordinary schools across the province’s 15 education districts. According to the department, learner enrolment has increased by more than 23 000 over the past year, placing continued pressure on available school spaces.

Maile urged parents and guardians not to wait until the closing days of the application period.

“Applying early gives parents enough time to upload supporting documents, resolve any outstanding issues and improve the likelihood of a smooth placement process,” he said.

Parents are reminded to complete all five application steps, apply to a minimum of three and a maximum of five schools, and upload or submit certified supporting documents within seven days of submitting their applications.

The department also warned parents to be cautious of scammers claiming they can secure school placements for a fee. The online admissions process is free of charge, and no individual or organisation is authorised to accept payment or influence learner placements.

Parents who require assistance can visit any of the department’s 48 decentralised walk-in centres, district offices, provincial head office or public schools across Gauteng, where officials are available to assist free of charge.

The 2027 Gauteng Online Admissions application period closes at midnight on September 4.

To apply, parents must visit www.gdeadmissions.gov.za