The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says it has successfully placed approximately 95% of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2026 academic year.
According to the department, as of 12 December 2025, a total of 721 schools had reached full capacity. These include 458 primary schools and 263 secondary schools.
Despite this, the GDE has assured parents and guardians that it has intensified efforts to place the remaining 15 144 unique applicants, who represent 4.2% of total applications and used the Online Admissions System.
“The remaining 15 144 applicants are currently receiving placement offers through transfers to schools with available space. It is important to note that the department prioritises the placement of the 358 574 applicants with complete applications — 175 792 for Grade 1 and 182 782 for Grade 8,” the department said.
Parents and guardians have been urged to respond promptly to all placement updates, including offers, appeals, or objections.
“Applicants who receive transfer placement offers at schools they did not originally apply to have the option to accept or decline the offer within seven days of receiving it,” the department added.
The GDE also called for calm as it continues to process 4 460 appeals received across its 15 districts. To date, approximately 70% of these appeals have been adjudicated and finalised.
