More than 210 000 school applications submitted in just four hours
The race for Gr 1 and Gr 8 placements has begun, as the department highlights key steps parents need to follow.
Thousands of Gauteng parents wasted no time as online school admissions opened at 08:00 on Wednesday, August 5, with more than 210 000 Grade One and Grade Eight applications submitted within the first four hours.
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, said that by noon on August 5, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had already received 210 055 applications.
The highest demand has been recorded in the Ekurhuleni South and Tshwane West districts. Among secondary schools, Hoërskool Langenhoven in Tshwane West received 1 168 applications, followed by Alberton High School with 1 098 and Hoërskool Akasia with 917.
Among primary schools, Rachel de Beer Primary School received 474 applications, Laerskool Akasia received 461, and Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees received 411.
In a statement, the GDE said the system continues to experience sustained growth, with learner enrolment increasing by more than 23 000 learners over the past year alone – equivalent to establishing about 19 additional schools accommodating around 1 200 learners each.
Since its introduction in 2015, the Gauteng Online Admissions System has replaced long queues outside schools with a digital admissions platform. Over the past decade, the number of learners placed through the system has increased annually, culminating in about 400 000 entry-grade learners being successfully placed during the 2025 admissions cycle.
This year’s admissions cycle includes further enhancements aimed at improving the user experience, including improved system stability during periods of high demand, faster processing times, strengthened functionality, enhanced document verification, automated SMS reminders and notifications, and the ability for parents to view each school’s language of learning and teaching, home language and first additional language offerings before applying.
The MEC urged parents and guardians not to wait until the closing days of the application period. Applying early allows sufficient time to upload supporting documents, resolve any outstanding matters and improve the likelihood of a seamless placement process.
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 all certified supporting documents within seven days of submitting their applications.
The GDE also warned parents against fraudsters and scammers who falsely claim to represent the department or promise guaranteed school placements in exchange for money. The online admissions process is completely free of charge, and no individual, company or organisation is authorised to charge parents or influence learner placements.
Parents requiring assistance are encouraged to make use of the department’s 48 decentralised walk-in centres, 15 district offices, the provincial head office and all public schools across Gauteng, where trained officials are available to assist free of charge throughout the application period. Parents are also urged not to share personal information with unauthorised individuals or businesses.
As Gauteng continues to modernise education through technology, young people are encouraged to assist parents, grandparents and elderly members of their communities with the online application process.
The application period remains open until midnight on Friday, September 4.
Parents can apply by visiting www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.
