The GDE has provided an update on learner placements, confirming that 10 295 learners across the province are still awaiting placement for the 2026 academic year.

Of the unplaced learners, 2 848 are Grade 1 pupils and 7 447 are Grade Eight learners. The department said it continues to work tirelessly to ensure that all learners are accommodated.

According to the GDE, placement and transfer offers are released daily, with a particular focus on high-pressure areas. The placement process remains active across all districts, with learners being matched to available spaces in line with regulated admissions criteria.

Department spokesperson Steven Mabona explained that transfer offers are issued only once all schools selected by a parent have reached full capacity.

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“Applicants whose status reflects ‘Application is being processed’ or ‘School reached capacity’ should expect a transfer offer once their status updates to ‘Transfer offer made’,” Mabona said.

He added that all transfer offers are made to the next closest school with available space, taking into account the distance from the learner’s home.

Mabona also outlined progress made on objections and appeals. The department has received 5 199 appeals, which are currently at an advanced stage of processing as part of efforts to finalise learner placements.

Parents or guardians who receive a transfer offer for a school they did not originally apply to have seven days to either accept or decline the offer.

Accepting the offer finalises the learner’s placement at that school, while declining allows parents to submit an objection within seven days.

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All objections are investigated in accordance with regulated admissions criteria, and outcomes are communicated within 14 days. Parents who are dissatisfied with the objection outcome may submit an appeal within seven days. Appeal outcomes are final, and no alternative placement will be offered thereafter.

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane urged parents to make responsible use of the late application period and called for patience as the department continues working to place every learner fairly, efficiently and within available capacity.