By Thapelo Molefe
Parents applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements at Gauteng public schools for the 2027 academic year will be able to submit applications from 5 August, with the Gauteng Department of Education urging families to apply early as demand for school places continues to grow.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile announced on Monday that the online admissions system will open at 8am next week on Wednesday, and close at midnight on 4 September.
Maile said Gauteng’s public education system now serves more than 2.4 million learners across 2,111 schools, with enrolment increasing by more than 23,000 learners between 2025 and 2026 alone.
“Accordingly, we are pleased to announce that applications for admission to Grade 1 and Grade 8 for the 2027 academic year will officially open at 08h00 on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, and close at 00h00 (midnight) on Friday, 4 September 2026,” Maile said.
He urged parents to avoid waiting until the last minute.
“We encourage every parent and legal guardian to apply as early as possible, submit authentic supporting documents, follow every step of the application process carefully and make full use of the Department’s official support services whenever assistance is required.”
Parents will be required to complete a five-step application process, including registering their details, capturing the learner’s information, applying to between three and five schools, and submitting supporting documents within seven school days of applying. Registration alone will not be regarded as a completed application.
The department also reminded parents that Grade R learners are not automatically promoted to Grade 1 and must also apply through the online admissions system. Applications for Grades 2 to 7 and Grades 9 to 12 must still be made directly to schools.
Maile warned parents against submitting fraudulent documents or paying anyone who promises to secure a school place.
“No public school place in Gauteng is for sale. The Gauteng Department of Education does not charge any fee for assisting parents with online admissions, and every official support service remains completely free,” he said.
The department said proof of residence remains one of the most important documents required during the admissions process, as it is used to verify feeder zones and allocate learners fairly. It warned that fraudulent proof of residence could lead to applications being rejected and criminal action being taken.
To assist parents, the department has set up 48 walk-in centres, including all district offices, its head office and public schools across Gauteng, where officials will help with the online application process.
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