The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is working at full pace to ensure that more than 40 000 unplaced learners are accommodated before the end of the current academic year.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said during a media briefing that a total of 40 586 applicants are still awaiting placement, including 15 530 Grade One learners and 25 056 Grade Eight learners.

Chiloane reminded parents and guardians that all placements are guided by the department’s priority criteria and remain dependent on space at each school.

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He said many families could not be placed at their preferred schools because those schools had already reached full capacity.

As a result, the department has started issuing transfer offers to affected parents. These offers allocate learners to the next-closest schools with available space.

“Transfer offers are only made once we have confirmed that the schools parents applied to are completely full,” Chiloane said.

The MEC added that parents whose application status shows “Application is being processed” or “School reached capacity” should expect updates soon.

These will change to “Transfer offer made” once an alternative placement has been secured.

Chiloane emphasised that the GDE remains committed to placing every learner. He said transfer offers are determined by available capacity and the proximity of the learner’s home, ensuring fairness and access for all applicants.