The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has recorded a strong start to its 2027 Online Admissions application period, receiving more than 210 000 Grade 1 and Grade 8 applications within the first four hours of the system going live.
The online system officially opened at 8am on Wednesday, with the department reporting that 210 055 applications had been successfully submitted by midday.
In a statement, Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, welcomed the strong response from parents and guardians, saying it reflected continued confidence in the province's online admissions system.
“The system went live at 08:00 on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, and by 12:00 noon, the Gauteng Department of Education had already received 210 055 Grade 1 and Grade 8 applications, demonstrating the continued confidence that parents and guardians have in the Province's Online Admissions System,” he said.
The department said demand was evident even before applications officially opened, with 12 058 parents joining the online queue between 7:30am and 7:59am in anticipation of the system going live.
“The application process has since proceeded smoothly without any major technical incidents,” he said.
According to the department, the highest demand has so far been recorded in the Ekurhuleni South and Tshwane West education districts.
Among secondary schools, Hoërskool Langenhoven in Tshwane West received the highest number of applications at 1 168, followed by Alberton High School with 1 098 applications and Hoërskool Akasia with 917.
At primary school level, Rachel de Beer Primary School received 474 applications, followed by Laerskool Akasia with 461 and Laerskool Voortrekker Eeufees with 411.
As South Africa's largest provincial education system, Gauteng currently provides public education to more than 2.4 million learners through 2 111 public ordinary schools, comprising 1 417 primary schools and 694 secondary schools, including 37 Schools of Specialisation spread across the province's 15 education districts.
The department said learner enrolment continues to grow, increasing by more than 23 000 learners over the past year alone – the equivalent of establishing about 19 new schools, each accommodating around 1 200 learners.
Since its introduction in 2015, the Gauteng Online Admissions System has replaced long queues outside schools with what the department describes as a fair, transparent and efficient digital application process.
The department noted that learner placements have increased every year over the past decade, with approximately 400 000 entry-grade learners successfully placed during the 2025 admissions cycle.
This year's admissions process includes several enhancements aimed at improving the experience for parents and guardians.
These include improved system stability during periods of high demand, faster processing times, strengthened functionality, enhanced document verification, automated SMS reminders and notifications, as well as the ability for parents to view each school's Language of Learning and Teaching, Home Language and First Additional Language offerings before submitting applications.
According to the department, the improvements were informed by consultations with parents, School Governing Body associations, principals, district officials and provincial call-centre agents.
Maile urged parents not to delay submitting applications.
“The MEC urges all parents and guardians not to wait until the closing days of the application period. Applying early allows sufficient time to upload supporting documents, resolve any outstanding matters and improve the likelihood of a seamless placement process,” he said.
Parents have been reminded to complete all five application steps, apply to a minimum of three and a maximum of five schools, and upload or submit all certified supporting documents within seven days of submitting their applications.
The department also warned parents against fraudsters claiming to offer guaranteed school placements for a fee.
“The Department further cautions parents against fraudsters and scammers who falsely claim to represent the Gauteng Department of Education or promise guaranteed school placements in exchange for money. Online Admissions is completely free of charge. No individual, company or organisation is authorised to charge parents or influence learner placements,” the MEC said.
Parents requiring assistance can visit any of the department's 48 decentralised walk-in centres, 15 district offices, the provincial head office or public schools across Gauteng, where trained officials are available to provide support free of charge.
The application period closes at midnight on Friday, 4 September 2026. – SAnews.gov.za
