Lesufi changes online admissions system for grades 1, 8 for 2022

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has changed its online applications system for public schools admissions for the 2022 academic year.

The new system was expected to kick off on August 10. Grades 1 and 8 admission system process would be conducted in two phases, expected to be completed in November, the GDE announced.

“This year, the GDE has introduced new changes aimed at making the process easier and more manageable for parents, guardians, and public schools in Gauteng,” said Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.

Lesufi said the first phase was for grade 7 learners currently in public primary schools applying for grade 8, and the second phase would be for grades 1 and 8 learners.

“The first phase will open on August 10 at 08:00, and close on September 3 at 00:00.

“The second phase will commence on September 13 at 08:00 and close on October 8 at 00:00.

” He said the placement of phase 1 would be facilitated between October 15 and November 30, while phase 2 will be between November 15 and November 30.

Lesufi said to ensure access to applicants who were unable to apply due to “technological disadvantages”, the department had identified 47 decentralised walk-in centres in different areas where applicants would be safely assisted.

“Some GDE district offices and the head office will serve as walk-in centres.”

Parents and guardians are to note the following important guidelines:

– Before parents or guardians apply, they must provide accurate parent and learner details to schools where their children are currently in grade 7;

– From Monday, August 2 to August 6, primary schools will verify and update parents’ or guardians’ details including the cellphone number, identity document number and home address;

– It is important that parents provide one reliable cellphone number so that they can receive important SMS notifications regarding the application process. This process is very important because from August 10, an SMS notification with a link will be sent to parents to complete the five-step application process; –

The parent/guardian will be required to verify the cellphone number on the system before starting the application process which consists of verification of parent or guardian details, home address details, learner details, application to a maximum of five schools and uploading documents to system or submitting documents at schools;

– In phase two, parents and guardians will also complete the five-step application process. Parents will also need to upload or submit certified copies of supporting documents to schools they applied to within 7 days;

– The documents required for grades 1 and 8 applications are: parents and child ID or passport, refugee permit, asylum seeker permit, permanent residence permit, study permit, South African birth certificate, proof of home address, proof of work address, latest school report and clinic card/vaccination report (grade 1 only);

– If a parent uses a cellphone number different from the one provided to the school, the system will prompt the parent to contact the school to correct the number;

– Every step of the application process will be confirmed via SMS for security and verification purposes;

– Parents who apply to schools of specialisation must ensure that they contact the school to arrange for the auditions or admission tests.

“When a parent or guardian applies to a school for their child, it is critical to remember that the following criteria is considered in order of priority of the following: home address within the school’s feeder-zone, sibling and or previous schools, work address within school’s feeder-zone and home address which is within 30km radius,” said Lesufi.

“Parents will receive SMSes notifying them about the outcome of their application between October 15 and November 30.

” He said the parent or guardian also had to accept an offer to confirm placement.

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