SEDIBENG – Parents wasted no time as thousands raced to secure places for their children after the Gauteng Department of Education’s 2027 Online Admissions System opened on Wednesday morning (August 5).
Within just four hours of going live at 08:00, the system had already received a staggering 210 055 applications for Grade One and Grade Eight learners.
Even before the system officially opened, 12 058 parents had already joined the online queue, eager to be among the first to apply.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, said the smooth start reflects growing public confidence in the province’s online admissions system.
The busiest demand came from Ekurhuleni South and Tshwane West, with some of the province’s top schools receiving more than 1 000 applications within hours.
Hoërskool Langenhoven topped the list with 1 168 applications, followed by Alberton High School (1 098) and Hoërskool Akasia (917). Among primary schools, Rachel de Beer Primary received 474 applications, while Laerskool Akasia and Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees also attracted hundreds of hopeful parents.
Gauteng remains South Africa’s biggest public education system, educating more than 2.4 million learners at 2 111 public schools.
The province has added over 23 000 learners in the past year alone, creating increasing pressure on school placements.
Maile urged parents not to leave their applications until the last minute.
Parents must apply to at least three and no more than five schools, complete all five application steps, and submit certified supporting documents within seven days of applying.
The MEC also warned families to be on high alert for scammers promising guaranteed school placements in exchange for money.
“The online admissions process is completely free. Nobody is authorised to charge parents or influence learner placements,” he said.
Parents who need help can visit any of the department’s 48 walk-in centres, 15 district offices, provincial head office or their nearest public school for free assistance.
Applications for the 2027 school year close at midnight on September 4, giving parents one month to secure a place for their children before the deadline.
