Less Grade 1 & 8 opening admission applications this year
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDoE) believes that the decrease is a result of the application phase starting before the long weekend.
A total of 161 407 Grade 1 and 8 applications were processed by the education department’s online admissions system during its June 15 opening phase.
This indicates a decrease from the 2023 opening application count of 165 000.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDoE) believes that the decrease is a result of the application phase starting before the long weekend.
The department processed the applications from the Winterveldt Multipurpose Hall, receiving 60 000 in the first hour.
“We are proud of the smooth start to the application period,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.
“We are happy at the turnout of parents who used our system and succeeded in their applications.
“Many parents reached out to share their smooth experience when utilising the system. Other parents also expressed that the system is faster than the previous years,” Chiolane continued.
APPLICANTS FACE CHALLNGES WITH THE SYSTEM
Some applicants, however, reported facing challenges when trying to upload their ID numbers into the system.
According to the department, the Home Affairs (DHA) verification system used on online admissions could not process certain ID numbers.
The department said that the matter was resolved shortly as applicants had to refresh their pages and could then apply.
Another issue which affected applicants (especially for Grade 8) was that they could not enter the previous school of their child/dependent.
The department said that the issue did not affect all Grade 1 and 8 applicants and was also resolved “instantly”.
All previous schools are now appearing in the system for Grade 8 applicants.
The 2024 online admissions application period will continue until July 14.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to either upload certified copies of the required documents onto the department’s system or submit them at the schools they applied to within seven school days.
Parents are also encouraged to visit the GDoE district offices and 80 decentralised walk-in centres for assistance when applying.
For further assistance, applicants can call the GDE’s Contact Centre on 0800 000 789 or send a message on WhatsApp at 060 891 0361.
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