By Johannah Malogadihlare
THE Gauteng Department of Education has extended the 2025 online application for Grade 1 and Grade 8 in light of system delays and parental complaints.
Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education Matome Chiloane made the announcement at Noordwyk High in Midrand on Sunday and said the application process has been extended for 7 days starting from 14 to 21 August.
Chiloane said that he was aware of the complaints about the system being down on 9 and 10 August, therefore, he urged parents to take the opportunity and apply to avoid disappointments.
“A number of parents who struggled to upload and complete applications were concerned about the hiccup, the system issue was resolved by the 10th but parents already lost two days,” he said.
The MEC said over 700 000 applications for placement had been received at this stage and that parents should start getting replies from the department from mid-September.
“We appreciate the confidence the parents continue to show in public education,” said Chiloane.
He urged parents to be patient with the placement issue and said in order to assist high-pressure schools accommodate more learners, mobile units will be provided.
Although the department may not be able to place all applicants in their preferred schools, Chiloane assured that applicants will be placed at a school with available space.
The MEC said that the documents required for the application process include proof of address, children’s immunisation card and previous reports, among others.
INSIDE EDUCATION
