By Akani Nkuna
The Gauteng Department of Education said more than 4,500 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners in the province were still awaiting placement ahead of the 2026 academic year, but added that the figure was relatively low, representing 1.5% of total applications received.
In a statement on Tuesday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said most unplaced learners were concentrated in areas experiencing rapid population growth in urban and metropolitan districts. He said the department was moving to resolve the outstanding placements urgently to avoid disruptions to the school calendar.
“The Department continues to release placement and transfer offers daily, supported by targeted interventions in high-pressure districts, to ensure that all remaining learners are placed as efficiently and fairly as possible, in line with regulated admissions criteria and available school capacity,” he said.
The department received a total of 358 574 applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 for the 2026 academic year. Grade 1 accounted for 175 792 applications, while Grade 8 accounted for 182 782.
Of these, 1381 Grade 1 learners were still awaiting placement, while 3477 Grade 8 learners had not yet been placed.
Ekurhuleni districts accounted for the largest share of unplaced learners, with a combined total of 3169 learners, many of them Grade 8 pupils in Ekurhuleni North.
The Johannesburg district recorded the second-highest number of unplaced Grade 8 learners, which the department attributed to increased demand for secondary schools in the area. It said strategic plans were being developed to address the backlog.
“The Department has prioritised Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg as high-pressure districts, with intensified district-based placement, continued release of placement and transfer offers, and strategic utilisation of available capacity across neighbouring schools,” said Chiloane.
Tshwane, Sedibeng and West Rand districts recorded the lowest number of unplaced learners, with a combined total of 84 across Grade 1 and Grade 8.
The late application period, which started on 17 December and runs until the end of January 2026, recorded 11 183 applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8. The department said these applications were subject to available capacity at selected schools.
Chiloane urged parents to submit outstanding documentation by 14 January to speed up processing.
“We are encouraged by the steady progress made in placing learners across Gauteng. We once again urge parents and guardians to remain patient and cooperative as the Department continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every Grade 1 and Grade 8 learner is placed for the 2026 academic year,” Chiloane said.
The department also confirmed that 6736 appeals had been lodged across the province as part of the 2026 Online Admission process, with 637 objections still awaiting adjudication. It said outcomes would be communicated once the process had been finalised.
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