Grades 1, 8 online applications close at midnight
Over 800 000 applications submitted so far, but 52 929 remain incomplete; certified documents must be submitted by September 9 to secure placement
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) reminds parents and guardians that the 2026 online admissions application period for grades one and eight in Gauteng public schools will close tonight, August 29, at midnight.
Parents are encouraged to apply before applications close by visiting www.gdeadmissions.gov.za
As of Thursday at 19:15, the GDE online admissions system had recorded 800 530 online applications:
• Grade One: 345 493 applications;
• Grade Eight: 455 037 applications
The GDE is concerned that many applications are incomplete. To date, it has recorded 52 929 incomplete applications.
These include parents who registered details but did not finalise school selections, and those who applied but failed to submit or upload the required documents.
Parents are reminded that certified copies of all the required documents must be submitted to schools or uploaded online by noon on September 9.
Proof of home address is vital because placement is based on feeder zones. Applications without this document will be regarded as incomplete.
The department emphasises that incomplete applications will not be considered for placement offers.
Similarly, applicants who submit fraudulent or invalid documents will forfeit placement offers. Only learners with complete applications and verified documents will receive placement offers during the placement period, starting from October 16 until all learners are placed.
Placement is not based on a first-come, first-served basis, but according to these criteria, applied in order of priority:
• Home address within the school’s feeder zone, closest to the school;
• Sibling/previous school;
• Work address within the school’s feeder zone;
• Home address within a 30km radius;
• Home address beyond a 30km radius.
“We urge parents who have not completed the five-step process to immediately do so. Failure to act before the deadline will result in loss of placement priority,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.
For more updates on GDE-related news and information, follow its website or social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/gautengeducation/
