Ekurhuleni South leads demand as Gauteng school admissions open

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) received 210 055 Grade One and Grade Eight applications within the first four hours of the 2027 Online Admissions application period.

The online admissions system opened at 08:00 on Wednesday, August 5, with the department confirming that more than 210 000 applications had been received by midday.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile welcomed the response, saying it reflected parents’ continued confidence in the province’s online admissions system.

ALSO READ: GDE warns parents about fake 2027 online admissions notice

According to the department, 12 058 parents joined the online queue between 07:30 and 07:59 before the system opened, while the application process ran smoothly without any major technical incidents.

The highest demand was recorded in the Ekurhuleni South and Tshwane West education districts.

Among secondary schools, Hoërskool Langenhoven received the most applications (1 168), followed by Alberton High School (1 098) and Hoërskool Akasia (917). Rachel de Beer Primary School topped the list of primary schools with 474 applications, followed by Laerskool Akasia (461) and Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees (411).

The GDE said learner enrolment has grown by more than 23 000 over the past year. Since the online admissions system was introduced in 2015, it has replaced long queues with a digital application process. During the 2025 admissions cycle, about 400 000 entry-grade learners were successfully placed.

This year’s system includes improved stability, faster processing, enhanced document verification, automated SMS notifications and the ability for parents to view each school’s language offerings before applying.

ALSO READ: GDE confirms full return of scholar transport from February 16

Parents are encouraged to apply early, select between three and five schools, and upload certified supporting documents within seven days of submitting an application.

The department also warned parents against fraudsters promising guaranteed school placements in exchange for payment, stressing that the online admissions process is free.

Parents who need assistance can visit any of the department’s 48 walk-in centres, 15 district offices, the provincial head office or public schools across Gauteng.

Applications close at midnight on September 4.