Frustration is mounting among parents in Pretoria and Centurion as ongoing problems with Gauteng’s school placement system continue to leave many learners without confirmed spots for the 2026 academic year.

Civil rights organisation AfriForum has now called on Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane to urgently address the issue and provide clarity on the placement process.

The organisation has received numerous complaints from concerned parents who either have not received placement feedback or have been allocated schools that were not among their top choices.

Despite placements officially beginning on October 16, parents say there has been little communication or transparency from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).

This year’s placement process started a month later than last year’s cycle, and as of the first week of November, many learners in Pretoria and Centurion are still waiting for confirmation.

Some parents have reported that the system automatically accepted conditional offers as final placements, even though they were not the family’s preferred schools.

“The system is supposed to make the process easier for parents and schools, but after how many years the Gauteng Department of Education still cannot manage to make the process run problem-free,” said Carien Bloem, head of Education Projects at AfriForum.

Bloem added that they have sent an attorney’s letter to Chiloane, demanding an explanation of the ongoing placement issues and urging the department to communicate clearly with affected parents and schools.

The organisation also expressed concern that several Pretoria schools with available spaces are reportedly being allocated learners who were not listed on their registration systems, further complicating the process.

Spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department wishes to assure parents that every applicant with a complete application will receive a placement offer.

“The process is ongoing, and there are no technical delays. Parents whose applications are still being processed are requested to remain patient while we finalise all placements,” Mabona said.

He explained that parents who have already received SMS notifications confirming their child’s placement in grades 1 or 8 should regard that message as final.

“There is no need to log into the system to accept such an offer. However, parents who have applied to more than one school may accept an offer while waiting for others,” Mabona added.

If no further offers are received within seven days of accepting an offer, it means other schools applied to may have reached capacity. In such cases, the learner will remain placed at the school of the last accepted offer.

He explained placement offers are made according to clearly defined criteria, applied in order of priority rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.

These include home address within the school’s feeder zone, sibling or previous school connection, work address within the feeder zone, and home address within or beyond a 30km radius.

“Placement is always subject to school capacity and available space,” said Mabona. “Where schools are full, the department will issue transfer offers to the next closest school with available space, but only after confirming that none of the originally selected schools can accommodate the learner.”

Parents who wish to contest their child’s placement outcome are allowed to object online within seven days of receiving the placement offer.

To do this, the offer must first be declined, and an electronic objection form completed.

“Objections are carefully reviewed on merit, and outcomes are communicated within 14 days,” Mabona explained. “If parents remain dissatisfied, they may submit an appeal online within seven days. Appeals are finalised within 14 to 21 days, and those decisions are final.”

However, no objections or appeals are allowed when a learner is placed at one of the schools originally applied to.

Mabona emphasised that the department is committed to ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the process.

“We continue to work tirelessly to place every learner for the 2026 academic year. Parents are urged to avoid anyone claiming to offer placement assistance for money,” he warned.

He also reminded parents that all official communication from the department is issued only through SMS or the Online Admissions System.

“Parents should stay patient and vigilant as we finalise all placements,” Mabona said.

For any queries, parents can contact the GDE Call Centre at 0800 000 789 or visit their nearest district office.

AfriForum has invited parents and schools experiencing difficulties with the online registration or placement system to reach out via email at onderwys@afriforum.co.za.

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