Efficient Efforts Continue as GDE Tackles Late Applications for the 2025 Academic Year
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has made significant progress in processing late school applications for the 2025 school year, successfully placing over 30,000 learners. However, with 345,000 applications submitted since the centralised online system opened in July 2024, challenges remain as the department works to clear the backlog.
Centralised Placement System Handles a Surge of Applications
Since the online application system opened, 344,890 applications were submitted for grades 1 and 8. Of these, 335,858 were deemed complete, with an impressive 99.97% already successfully placed. Despite these successes, 19,032 incomplete applications remain, leaving parents to select schools with available space from December 2024.
Steve Mabona, GDE spokesperson, assured that the department is prioritising late applicants. “Late applicants are being assisted to submit applications and are placed immediately where space is available,” Mabona stated.
Addressing the Challenges of Late Applications
Parents applying late or facing complications with their initial school allocations have queued at GDE offices throughout January. The delays are attributed to various factors, including:
- Incomplete applications
- Families transferring between provinces or districts
- Parents declining allocated schools
The department has prioritised urgent cases, particularly for grades 1 and 8. As of 20 January 2025, 16,255 late grade 1 applications and 14,243 late grade 8 applications had been processed. Inner-grade placements for the remaining grades are being handled at district and school levels.
Accommodating Relocations and Alternative Requests
The GDE noted a significant number of inner-grade applicants, including learners relocating to Gauteng or transferring districts within the province. These applications will largely be addressed after the mandatory 10-day headcount process, which ensures accurate enrollment data.
In addition, some applicants have requested alternative schools, declining those initially assigned to them. The department has committed to resolving these cases as efficiently as possible.
“Our efforts to address all queries and placements at our offices are progressing efficiently, with noticeable reductions in the length of queues as we continue to assist all parents,” Mabona concluded.
A Call for Patience and Support
Parents are encouraged to remain patient as the GDE continues its work to finalise placements. The department’s online placement system is designed to handle high volumes, ensuring that all learners are accommodated for the 2025 academic year.
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