The GDE denies prioritising foreign nationals’ claims has become a contentious topic in South African education discourse. In early 2026, the Gauteng Education Department (GDE) publicly refuted allegations that its school admissions processes favour foreign nationals over South African learners in Gauteng Public Schools.
What the GDE Says: No Priority for Foreign Nationals
MEC Matome Chiloane described the allegations as “false claims” and insisted that admissions follow established laws and departmental policies, not nationality.
According to the department:
- It does not control placements for learners in Grades 2–7 and 9–11 through the central system; these applications are managed directly by individual schools.
- Any official found contravening admissions regulations could face harsh consequences.
- The department maintains that admissions systems are fair, orderly and transparent and will accommodate every qualifying learner, even if not at their first-choice school.
This response came amid activism from groups like Operation Dudula, which have protested at some schools, demanding that South African children be prioritised in placements.
How Gauteng School Admissions Really Work
Understanding the admissions framework is essential to separating fact from fiction.
Legal and Policy Framework
The South African Schools Act and the Admission Policy for Ordinary Public Schools require that admissions must not unfairly discriminate against any learner on arbitrary grounds, including nationality or immigration status.
The GDE follows provincial policy aligned with these laws. In practice, placements consider factors such as:
- Feeder zone (home address proximity to the school)
- Sibling status (brothers/sisters already enrolled)
- Availability of space in schools
These criteria do not explicitly include nationality as a priority factor.
Current Placement Context in Gauteng
The admissions challenge in Gauteng has been the sheer volume of applicants and limited space, especially for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners.
- As of early January 2026, approximately 4,858 learners remained unplaced in the province, despite over 350,000 offers being issued.
- The backlog arises largely from high demand, particularly in urban districts like Ekurhuleni, not from policy bias.
Official data suggests this backlog represents a small portion of the total pool — about 1.5% of completed applications, and placements continue daily.
Why the Confusion and Misinformation?
Several factors fuel the perception that foreign nationals receive priority:
- Misinformation by activist groups and social campaigns claiming learners without South African documentation are being placed ahead of citizens.
- Stress and delays in the admissions process, leading to frustration among parents who feel their children are not being fairly treated.
- Complex admissions systems that some parents find difficult to navigate without guidance.
Despite rumours, GDE officials, including spokesperson Steve Mabona, have clarified that immigration status does not determine placement order.
“Citizenship or immigration status is not a determining factor in the allocation of school spaces,” Mabona said, reaffirming the right of every child to access education while urging parents to secure necessary documentation.
Bottom Line: Fairness Matters — and So Does Transparency
The GDE Denies Prioritising Foreign Nationals claim is unfounded based on official responses and policy frameworks. Admissions are guided by law, policy and capacity constraints, not nationality. That said, ongoing placement challenges in Gauteng Public Schools highlight the need for:
- Clear communication from authorities
- Improved systems to manage high applicant volumes
- Support for parents navigating the admissions process
FAQs
Q: Does GDE prioritise South African learners over foreign nationals?
A: No — placements are based on admissions criteria such as feeder zones and school capacity, not nationality.
Q: Can undocumented learners apply for Gauteng public schools?
A: Yes, but lack of documentation may affect their future progression; admissions do not use nationality as a priority factor.
Q: Why are some learners still unplaced?
A: High demand for limited spaces, especially for Grade 1 and Grade 8, has led to ongoing placements and backlogs.
Also Read: Gauteng Education Promises Parents All Students Will Be Placed At A School
