As the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) begins issuing placement offers for the 2026 academic year, parents are reminded to research schools before accepting placements. With nearly 820,000 Grade 1 and 8 applications submitted, making informed decisions has never been more important.
Why Research Matters in the Placement Process
Grade 1 and 8 admissions in Gauteng are not based on a first-come, first-served system. Instead, they follow specific placement criteria. These include proximity to the school, sibling attendance, and school capacity.
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MEC for Education Matome Chiloane advised that parents must understand school expectations before accepting any offer. He stressed that decisions made without proper research can have long-term consequences.
Understand Fee Structures Before Accepting
One of the key concerns is the financial commitment required by fee-paying schools. Chiloane issued a strong warning: “If you’re taking a child to a fee-paying school, you’re going to have to pay.”
Parents who later claim they cannot afford the fees will not be granted a transfer. This policy aims to prevent disruptions and ensure financial sustainability, especially in former model-C schools.
What Incomplete Applications Mean for Placement
Of the total applications received, more than 51,000 were incomplete. These applications will not be processed during the initial placement round.
Chiloane stated, “We’re dealing with completed applications, parents who have complied.” This means parents who fail to upload the required documents will be excluded until the late placement window opens on 11 December.
For full guidelines, consult the official GDE admissions document.
Don’t Assume School Rankings Count
Many parents believe the order of school selection determines placement priority. However, the GDE clarified that this is incorrect. Chiloane explained, “We take it as saying I am happy if my child can go to any of the five schools.”
Only parents whose children are placed in schools they did not apply for will be allowed to appeal. This makes initial school selection critically important.
Limited Capacity and High-Demand Schools
Pressure is mounting on Gauteng’s public education system. Grade 8, in particular, faces a shortage, with only 6,640 spaces remaining. Meanwhile, 408 schools have received applications beyond their enrolment capacity.
When schools reach full capacity, learners will be redirected to the nearest schools with available space. The department aims to balance access with distance and resource availability.
Placement Offers: What Parents Should Know
Placement notifications begin on 16 October. Parents will have seven days to accept or decline. After this, the system will assign a placement automatically.
Some learners may receive multiple offers. Once one is accepted, the other slots are released, allowing more children to be placed efficiently.
New Classrooms and Schools on the Horizon
To relieve pressure, the province plans to deploy 786 mobile classrooms to 223 schools. Additionally, ten new schools are expected to open by early 2026.
Chiloane expressed optimism: “We’ve turned the corner. We are starting to see schools.” This expansion aims to accommodate the growing demand for quality education.
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How to Check Placement or Get Help
If parents don’t receive SMS placement offers, they can:
- Visit the GDE online admissions portal
- Call the toll-free hotline: 0800 000 789
- Use the WhatsApp line: 060 891 0361
- Go to their nearest district office
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
The Grade 1 and 8 admissions process is more than ticking boxes. Parents must research schools before accepting placement to avoid financial strain and disappointment.
Choosing a school impacts a child’s future. By staying informed and acting early, families can secure quality education without last-minute regrets.
