By Levy Masiteng
A total of 738,445 Grade 1 and Grade 8 applications were recorded by the Gauteng education department’s online admissions system as of Thursday, MEC Matome Chiloane said.
A total of 315,865 applications were for Grade 1 and 422,580 for Grade 8.
School placement is set to start on 16 October 2025.
Chiloane told reporters on Friday that during this period, the department would start sending placement offers to parents and guardians with complete applications via SMS.
“Parents with complete applications are advised to patiently await placement offers,” he said.
He said the department had identified high-pressure areas where schools received an overwhelming number of applicants, exceeding their capacity.
Approximately 277 primary schools and 221 secondary schools have registered more applications than available capacity.
The primary schools with highest applications include Laerskool Akasia in the Tshwane with 1304 applications and 250 capacity, and Palmridge Primary School in Ekurhuleni with 1172 applications and space for 200 learners.
Secondary schools include Hoërskool Langehoven in Tshwane with 3122 applications and 310 capacity, and Alberton High School in Ekurhuleni with 2590 applications and 200 capacity.
“In such cases, applicants will be transferred to the next closest school with available space,” Chiloane said.
To address infrastructure needs, the department has implemented various strategies, including providing self-built classrooms and mobile classrooms, and establishing new satellite schools.
A total of 786 mobile classrooms has been delivered to 223 schools across 15 districts.
The department said it was constructing 18 new schools, with 10 being entirely new and 8 serving as replacement schools.
“The construction of 12 of 18 new schools have commenced and estimated time of completion is in 2026,” it said.
Meanwhile, parents have been reminded to submit certified copies of documents to schools or upload them online by noon on 9 September 2025.
Chiloane said that so far, 97,719 incomplete applications have been recorded.
“[A total] of 20,265 registered parent details only, 30,547 registered parent and learner details only, and 46,907 registered parent and learner details with incomplete applications,” he said.
Chiloane urged parents to apply online without delay. The application period closes on 29 August 2025 at midnight.
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