Gauteng places most Gr 1& 8 learners, fewer than 5 000 remain unplaced
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says the province has successfully placed the majority of learners for 2026, with only 4 858 learners still awaiting placement, primarily in high-pressure urban districts.
Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, has confirmed that only 4 858 learners remain unplaced as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process for Grade One and Grade Eight.
As of January 6, the Online Admissions system recorded 1 381 unplaced Grade One learners and 3 477 unplaced Grade Eight learners, representing roughly 1.5% of the 358 574 complete applications received for the academic year.
The department continues to release placement and transfer offers daily, prioritising high-pressure districts and adhering to regulated admissions criteria and available school capacity.
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District overview
Most unplaced learners are concentrated in urban and metropolitan areas. Ekurhuleni remains the highest-pressure district, with a total of 3 169 unplaced learners, primarily at the Grade Eight level in Ekurhuleni North.
Johannesburg East also experiences placement pressure, particularly for secondary school learners, with 1 173 unplaced learners.
Tshwane, Sedibeng, and West Rand districts have largely stabilised, with minimal numbers of learners still awaiting placement.
The department has intensified placement efforts in high-pressure districts, strategically utilising available capacity across neighbouring schools to ensure efficient and fair placement for all learners.
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Late applications
The late application period runs until January 30. To date, 11 183 late applications have been received, including 5 701 for Grade One and 5 482 for Grade Eight.
Parents are urged to submit the required documentation at the selected schools from January 14. Placements during this period are final, and appeals or objections will not be accepted.
Appeals and objections
A total of 6 736 placement appeals have been lodged, with only 637 objections pending adjudication. The process is at an advanced stage, and outcomes are communicated directly to parents and guardians.
MEC Chiloane praised the steady progress made and urged parents to remain patient as the department continues to work towards placing every learner for 2026.
