Final call for Gauteng public schools online applications

Friday, August 29, 2025

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has reminded parents and guardians that the 2026 Online Admissions Application Period for Grade 1 and Grade 8 in the province's public schools will officially close at midnight.

“We urge all parents who have not yet completed the full five-step process to do so immediately. Failure to act before the deadline will result in disappointment and loss of placement priority,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane on Friday.

Parents are encouraged to apply now before applications close at midnight by visiting www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.

As of Thursday evening, at 19:15, the GDE Online Admissions System had recorded a total

of 800 530 Grade 1 and Grade 8 online applications, with Grade 1 applications accounting for 345 493 applications and Grade 8 applications were at 455 037.

“We are concerned that a significant number of applications remain incomplete. To date, 52 929 incomplete applications have been recorded. 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,”  the MEC said.

Parents are reminded that certified copies of all required documents must be submitted to schools or uploaded online by 12pm on 9 September 2025. 

The proof of home address is particularly important, as placement is based on feeder zones. Applications without this document will be regarded as incomplete.

The department has reminded parents and guardians that incomplete applications will not be considered for placement offers. 

Similarly, applicants who submit fraudulent or invalid documents will forfeit placement offers as well.

Only learners with complete applications and verified documents will receive placement offers during the placement period, starting from 16 October 2025 until all learners are placed.

Placement is not based on a first-come, first-served basis but according to the following 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.

-SAnews.gov.za