Gauteng Education says placed all outstanding pupils
The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that all remaining Grade 1 and Grade 8 pupils have been placed.
During the first two weeks of the online application window, the department received more than 600,000 online applications for Grades 1 and 8.
According to departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona, 484 pupils in Ekurhuleni, particularly in Tembisa and Kempton Park, were still awaiting placement but were officially accommodated at alternative schools by Tuesday.
In total, 392,224 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners secured placement for the 2026 academic year via the online system.
"The department wishes to express its sincere appreciation of the patience and resilience shown by parents and guardians, particularly while tireless efforts were underway to secure placements for all remaining learners," said Mabona.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised the importance of the digital system in broadening access to education.
“The Online Admissions system remains an important transformation tool to ensure all our schools are accessible to all our children. We are pleased to have demonstrated this through the placement of all applicants who applied online,” he said.
“However, we are determined to improve the system to ease some of the frustrations that are encountered during this process. In addition to system improvements, the Gauteng government will be constructing 18 additional new schools to increase capacity in the high-pressure areas that we have identified.”
Schools will now roll out structured catch-up programmes to help affected pupils regain any learning time lost.
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