Online Admissions Portal Goes Live

The Gauteng Department of Education officially launched its 2026 school admissions portal today at 8 a.m., with MEC Matome Chiloane confirming over 10,000 successful applications within the first hours. The system, which will remain open until midnight on 29 August, allows parents to apply for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements without physical queues.

Speaking at Ga-Rankuwa in Pretoria, Chiloane reported no major technical glitches, though some users needed to refresh browsers after early login attempts. "We expect numbers to surge as parents return from work," he stated, emphasizing the department's 98% placement success rate in previous years.

Key Application Details

• Deadline: 29 August 2025 (midnight)
• Documentation: Submit proof of residence, birth certificates, and immunization records
• Placement Offers: Begin 16 October 2025
• Priority: Given to complete applications with all required documents

Chiloane warned against using paid internet cafes, directing parents to free assistance at schools and designated walk-in centers. "Every public school has staff ready to help applicants," he noted.

Addressing Placement Challenges

The MEC outlined contingency plans for high-pressure areas, including:

• Additional classroom capacity
• Scholar transport to nearby schools
• Preemptive teacher provisioning

When questioned about school protests disrupting placements, Chiloane condemned community-led closures as "irresponsible," reminding parents that the South African Schools Act permits arrests for those preventing access to education.

Foreign Applicants Clarification

While the system accepts international applications, Chiloane stressed that legal documentation is mandatory. "No prioritization occurs – South African children are placed first, then legally documented foreign nationals," he clarified.

The department has allocated R3.9 billion for infrastructure maintenance to address overcrowding concerns.