Zuko Komisa

- The Gauteng Department of Education opens online admissions for Grades 1 and 8 this week.
- Applications for the 2026 academic year begin on Thursday, 24 July 2025.
- Parents must create new profiles and complete a five-step process to secure a spot.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has issued a crucial reminder to parents and guardians: the 2026 Online Admissions Application period for Grades 1 and 8 is set to this week.
The system will go live on Thursday, 24 July 2025, at 8AM.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, emphasised on Sunday that this online system is exclusively for children entering Grade 1 and Grade 8 in 2026.
Critically, parents with children currently in Grade R must apply online for Grade 1 admission, as placement is not automatic. Applications for all other grades must be made directly with individual schools.
All applicants will need to register a new profile on the GDE admissions website, as previous login details are no longer valid. Parents must then create and securely store new login credentials.
Chiloane also urged applicants to accept the POPI disclaimer, accurately enter their ID details, and agree to the terms and conditions.
Once logged in, a five-step application process must be completed, with correct and accurate details entered at each stage. Essential supporting documents must be uploaded or submitted within seven days of applying. Failure to complete all steps will result in an incomplete application and no consideration for placement.
To ensure vital updates are received, parents must provide one reliable mobile number during registration. SMS notifications will confirm each step of the application for security and verification. The MEC also advised parents to use the “Home Address Within School Feeder Zone” option when applying, and to select a minimum of three and a maximum of five schools to increase their chances of placement closer to home.
The application window will close at midnight on 29 August 2025.
The GDE also warned against scams, reiterating that no fees are charged for assistance with the application process. Any fraudulent activities or illegal placements should be reported immediately.
For further assistance, parents can contact the GDE via telephone at 0800 000 789, WhatsApp on 060 891 0361, or email at [email protected].
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