By Palesa Nguqu
Thousands of Gauteng learners could again face school placement challenges in 2027 as the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has yet to announce when Grade 1 and Grade 8 admissions will open, despite the academic year already being well underway.
DA shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos on Tuesday urged the department to urgently release the admissions timetable, warning that continued delays could leave learners unplaced when schools reopen next year.
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“The delay in opening the admissions process reduces the time available to properly process applications, verify information, and finalise placements before the start of the academic year,” Dos Santos said.
He said past delays had already had serious consequences for learners and parents.
“During the 2026 admissions cycle, thousands of learners remained unplaced as schools prepared to reopen, with some only receiving placements in March when the first term was almost over,” he said.
Popular schools in Gauteng continue to reach capacity quickly, while infrastructure expansion has struggled to keep pace with rising learner numbers.
At the same time, administrative backlogs in the admissions system have added to delays in finalising placements, leaving many parents uncertain about where their children will be placed.
In this environment, perceptions of unfairness often arise, particularly when communication from education authorities is limited and clear timelines are not provided.
In previous years, some parents only received placements weeks into the academic year, heightening frustration over the system’s efficiency.
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The issue of school non-placement is not framed around citizens versus non-citizens, but rather as a system under strain that is struggling to meet demand.
While the Constitution guarantees every child the right to basic education, stakeholders argue that this right is undermined when learners are not placed timeously and consistently.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for the immediate opening of the 2027 admissions process, alongside improved planning measures such as decentralised walk-in centres and stronger communication with parents.
The party argues that earlier application windows would give the department more time to process placements, reduce administrative pressure, and allow families to plan for school-related costs such as uniforms, transport and stationery.
“The department must learn from its past mistakes. We cannot continue to repeat a cycle where learners are left unplaced or placed too late into the school year,” Dos Santos said.
The DA further maintains that improved and earlier admissions management would help reduce administrative errors and ensure learners are placed before the start of the academic year, limiting disruption to schooling.
