South Africa
Nearly 5,000 learners yet to be placed in Gauteng schools─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:18 Wed, 07 Jan 2026
Concerns have been raised about the Gauteng department of education‘s online admissions system, as nearly 5,000 children have yet to be placed in schools for the new school year.
The department said the outstanding number represents just 1.5% of the 358,574 complete applications received for the 2026 academic year. The East Rand is experiencing the biggest problems due to a lack of space for Grade 1s and 8s.
On Tuesday (6/1), the online admissions system recorded 1,381 unplaced Grade 1 learners and 3,477 unplaced Grade 8 learners. Departmental officials say intensified daily placement and transfer processes are expected to further reduce the outstanding numbers in the coming weeks.
Parents and guardians have been urged to remain engaged with the process as late applications, appeals, and final placements continue to be processed.
“We are encouraged by the steady progress made in placing learners across Gauteng,” said Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane. “We once again urge parents and guardians to remain patient and cooperative as the department ensures that all learners are placed.
“Placement data per district indicates that the majority of the remaining unplaced learners are concentrated in urban and metropolitan districts. Placement pressure remains highest in Johannesburg East, largely driven by demand for secondary school placements.”
Parents and guardians are reminded that the late application period remains open until Friday, 30 January. Parents who did not apply during the main application period are urged to apply online.
4858 GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 LEARNERS REMAIN TO BE PLACED IN GAUTENG
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) January 6, 2026
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane wishes to announce that only 4858 learners remain unplaced as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process for Grade 1 and Grade 8, reflecting sustained progress in learner… pic.twitter.com/UonofO5hCm
The department reiterated that placements made during the late application period are final and subject to available capacity.
The department reported progress in resolving appeals and objections, as of the 6,736 appeals lodged, only 637 objections remain under judgment, with outcomes communicated directly to parents as finalisation continues.
Meanwhile, the DA has criticised the department’s handling of the placement process, saying despite assurances from the MEC, only 606 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners have been placed over the past two weeks.
A total of 4,858 learners remain unplaced with just one week left before schools reopen, said Gauteng DA shadow education MEC Sergio Isa Dos Santos. “The reality is that only 606 applications have been dealt with over the last two weeks.
“Parents have also raised growing frustration around Grade R learners being forced to reapply to remain at the same school, only to be offered placements elsewhere.”
The party further claimed it has received cases of parents being offered schools between 60 km and 95 km from their homes, which it describes as “unacceptable and an unfair financial burden on families”.
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