Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane announced that 4 858 learners remain unplaced as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process for Grade One and Grade Eight, reflecting sustained progress in learner placement across Gauteng for the 2026 academic year.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education’s Online Admissions system, it recorded a total of 4 858 unplaced learners, translating to Grade One: 1 381 learners and Grade Eight: 3 477 learners.

The department said that it represents approximately 1.5% of the total 358 574 complete applications received for the 2026 academic year, comprising 175 792 Grade One and 182 782 Grade Eight applicants.

The department also said that it continues to release placement and transfer offers daily, supported by targeted interventions in high-pressure districts, to ensure that all remaining learners are placed as efficiently and fairly as possible, in line with regulated admissions criteria and available school capacity.

The education department added that the placement data per district indicated that the majority of the remaining unplaced learners are concentrated in urban and metropolitan districts, where sustained population growth and infrastructure constraints continue to place pressure on available school capacity.

Ekurhuleni remains the highest-pressure district, with a combined total of:
• Ekurhuleni North: 1 741 unplaced learners (Grade One: 381; Grade Eight: 1 360)
• Ekurhuleni South: 1 181 unplaced learners (Grade One: 569; Grade Eight: 612)
• Gauteng East: 247 unplaced learners (Grade One: 85; Grade Eight: 162)
This results in a total of 3 169 unplaced learners in Ekurhuleni, with pressure particularly at the Grade Eight level in Ekurhuleni North.

Johannesburg districts
Only two Johannesburg districts account for a significant number of remaining unplaced learners:
• Johannesburg North: 3 Grade Eight learners
• Johannesburg East: 1 173 (Grade One: 95; Grade Eight: 1 078)
• Johannesburg South: 352 (Grade One: 250; Grade Eight: 102)
Placement pressure remains highest in Johannesburg East, largely driven by demand for secondary school placements.

Tshwane districts
Tshwane has shown significant progress in placing learners, with only Tshwane having a minuscule amount of learners to place:
• Tshwane North: 14 unplaced learners (Grade One: 1; Grade Eight: 13)

Sedibeng and West Rand districts
Sedibeng and West Rand have also shown tremendous placement progress with comparatively lower numbers as well and are largely stabilised:
• Sedibeng East: 70 (Only Grade Eight)

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“The department has prioritised Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg as high-pressure districts, with intensified district-based placement, continued release of placement and transfer offers and strategic utilisation of available capacity across neighbouring schools,” said the department.

The department shared that the late applications period, which commenced on December 17 and will close on January 30, has recorded a total of 11 183 late applications, comprising of 5 701 Grade One learners and 5 482 Grade Eight learners.

The department said that all late applications processed during this period result in final placements at the school selected by parents or guardians, subject to available capacity. Parents are advised to visit the selected school from January 14 to submit all required documentation.

Chiloane has reminded parents and guardians that the 2026 Online Admissions system remains open for late applications, particularly for those who did not apply during the main application period or whose applications were incomplete.

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Parents and guardians are urged to apply online by registering or logging on to www.gdeadmissions.gov.za

The department stated that during the Late Application period, only schools with available space will appear on the system. Applicants may select only one school, and once selected, the learner will be placed for the 2026 academic year. Placements made during this period cannot be declined, and no objections or appeals will be permitted thereafter.

The department has confirmed that 6 736 placement appeals have been lodged as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process, and 637 objections await adjudication.

The department said that the appeals adjudication process is at an advanced stage, with outcomes communicated directly to parents and guardians as finalisation progresses. Parents are reminded that appeal outcomes are final.

“We are encouraged by the steady progress made in placing learners across Gauteng. We once again urge parents and guardians to remain patient and cooperative as the Department continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every Grade One and Grade Eight learner is placed for the 2026 academic year,” said MEC Chiloane.