The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says schools were allocated funds in November 2025 specifically to settle their municipal obligations, including electricity accounts, amid ongoing concerns over unpaid bills and possible service interruptions.

This followed allegations that the department had shifted the burden of arrear municipal accounts onto schools, a claim it has strongly denied, insisting that the main issue is not a lack of funding, but rather non-payment by some schools despite receiving allocations.

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In a statement issued this week, the department said several schools in Eldorado Park were among those that received funding for municipal services.

These included Kliptown Primary, which received R233 167, Heerengracht Primary, which received R358 739, Eldorado Park Secondary, which received R523 503, and Eldomaine High School, which received R512 306.

The department said it had also previously communicated with School Governing Bodies about the decentralisation of municipal payments, placing responsibility on schools to manage and settle their own accounts once allocations had been made.

Under the South African Schools Act, schools granted the relevant Section 21 functions may pay for services to the school.

“It is therefore quite concerning that some schools are not paying their municipal accounts despite having received the necessary allocations and being aware of their responsibilities to pay their accounts,” the department said.

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“We wish to reiterate that we are engaging with all municipalities as this challenge is notably experienced across the province. These engagements will assist schools in ensuring they consistently pay their accounts and that their payments and accounts remain accurate at all times.

“Going forward, schools must also ensure that they use the allocations they receive strictly for its intended purposes,” Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said.

The department has urged affected schools to engage municipalities to negotiate payment arrangements while it facilitates the disbursement of the 2026/27 financial year allocations, which schools are expected to receive on or before 15 May.

In March, it was reported that at least 36 schools across Gauteng experienced electricity disconnections and more than 100 others had received notices warning of possible cuts, particularly in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.

But GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona disputed those reports, saying schools had mainly received warning correspondence.  

“There is no school that was cut off. The only thing that occurred was that correspondence was circulated to schools that are lagging behind in terms of their municipal services accounts,” Mabona said.

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He said the responsibility for paying municipal services lies with schools and their SGBs, where the relevant functions have been decentralised.

“In the meantime, the Gauteng Department of Education will continue to engage municipalities not to cut their services, particularly as the interruption of electricity supply may negatively affect teaching and learning,” Mabona said.

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The Gauteng education department will appoint a law firm to investigate the collapse of a school wall that killed an 8-year-old learner at Lerutle Primary School in Daveyton, it said on Monday.

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane announced the investigation during a visit to the family of Grade 3 learner Lwazi Motuse in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni.

The department said the independent probe would seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collapse, in which five other learners were injured.

“We convey our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family. We remain committed to supporting the family and the entire Lerutle Primary School community during this deeply difficult time,” Chiloane said.

The department said it continued to provide psycho-social support to affected learners, teachers and the bereaved family. It confirmed that all other learners injured in the incident had since been discharged from hospital.

The wall collapse is the second fatal school incident this year to trigger an external investigation by Chiloane.

On 18 March, the MEC formally introduced a law firm to investigate the death of 10-year-old Milton Neo Mokgoatsane, a Grade 5 learner at Reagile Primary School in Winnie Mandela, Tembisa, after a goal post fell on him during break time in February.

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Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Matome Chiloane used the Gauteng Sport Indaba in Boksburg this week to call for wider school sport participation, stronger talent pathways and more investment in township facilities.

Speaking at the indaba, Chiloane said Gauteng needed a more integrated approach to sport from school level upward.

“This Indaba anchors a clear vision, which is a seamless, integrated, and lifelong pathway for every citizen,” Chiloane said.

“This vision requires data-driven decision-making, strong governance, inclusive facility planning, and a united focus on literacy, equity, and building a business case for funding sports and recreation in the province.”

He said too many pupils were falling out of organised sport because schools remained heavily concentrated around a narrow set of codes.

“We might be losing some of our kids because we expect them to perform in football or netball as a form of recreation. So if they are not in the school team for either sport, they are out, and in this way we miss the talent,” he said.

The call aligns with national school sport resolutions adopted in 2023, which urged closer implementation between the sport and basic education departments, stronger monitoring, educator-led school sport, formal training programmes, and the introduction of Physical Education as a stand-alone subject.

Chiloane said access to sport also had to be widened in poorer communities.

“Our former Model-C schools have facilities that just need upgrading — but in our townships, that’s where investments must be focused, so we can get these learners involved,” he stated.

Gauteng supported 208 school leagues with 13,617 participants in the 2024/25 financial year and provided equipment and attire to 409 non-fee-paying schools, with soccer, netball, volleyball, and chess emerging as the most popular school league codes.

Chiloane said earlier talent identification could help Gauteng produce more top-level athletes over time.

“If we start now, in schools, identifying their talent, it gives us around 10 years to prepare for those Olympics,” he said.

“We still have time. So let’s be the first in Gauteng to get ready on the streets and set the scene for the Olympics to come.”

He also said sport spending was a broader social and economic investment, a theme echoed in official messaging around the indaba, which brought together government, federations and private-sector stakeholders to discuss the future of Gauteng’s sport system.

“Let this Indaba be a place where we build a house that is truly the foundation of champions and an economic hub for sports and recreation in the country and the province — a place for every citizen to enjoy their rights, participate, belong, excel, and thrive from cradle to the grave.”

The indaba came just over a week after Chiloane launched Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation in Johannesburg, which the provincial government said was Gauteng’s 38th School of Specialisation.

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Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane on Thursday launched the Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation in Johannesburg, with the province using the event to showcase its 38th specialist school and a new private-sector investment in the campus.

The Gauteng Department of Education said ION Holdings would build new classrooms, upgrade parking and sports facilities, and contribute towards a new pavilion at the school, in efforts to link academic performance with elite sport development.

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Chiloane said the launch marked “a massive milestone for education and school sports” in the province.

Vorentoe now joins Gauteng’s growing network of Schools of Specialisation, which are designed to develop talent in targeted disciplines while keeping learners in mainstream public education.

Vorentoe offers 11 sporting codes, including volleyball, hockey, tennis, netball, chess, cricket, soccer, rugby and athletics.

It’s facilities include a hockey field, cricket oval and tennis and netball courts.

During the launch, learners staged demonstrations across several sporting codes, while also presenting a custom-built sports app developed at the school.

Vorentoe has produced high-profile athletes including Banyana Banyana’s Amanda Nthandi and former Kaizer Chiefs player Itumeleng Shopane.

The boys’ cross-country team had been North Vaal champions for 15 years, while the girls’ team had won 13 titles in the last 15 years.

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According to the department, Vorentoe posted a 94.1% matric pass rate in 2024 and improved that to 94.9% in 2025.

It said that the school would introduce sports-related subjects such as Sports Science and Sports Management, while learners would also be able to leave school with additional accredited skills through a Multi-Certification Skills Programme.

“Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation is not just an institution, it is a beacon of hope, a centre of excellence, and a symbol of what can be achieved when knowledge, sport, and community come together,” Chiloane said.

“Let us continue to build on this proud legacy, ensuring that Vorentoe Sports SOS remains the key that unlocks success for generations to come.”

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Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is set to introduce a law firm appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Grade 5 learner at Reagile Primary School in Tembisa.

The introduction will take place on Wednesday, where the MEC will formally present the legal team to the school community and outline the terms of reference guiding the independent investigation.

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The learner, 10-year-old Milton Neo Mokgoatsane, died on Monday, 16 February 2026, following an incident on the school premises.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the incident occurred during the second break when a group of learners were playing near soccer goal posts.

“It is reported that a group of learners, including the deceased, were playing around the soccer posts when a goal post fell on the learner, resulting in severe injuries,” the department said.

Paramedics were immediately called to the scene and arrived approximately 20 minutes later. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the learner was declared dead at the scene.

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A 10-year-old Grade 5 learner died after a goal post fell on him at Reagile Primary School in Tembisa, Johannesburg, the Gauteng Department of Education said on Tuesday.

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane said he was “deeply saddened” by the death.

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“According to preliminary reports, the incident allegedly occurred during second break,” the department said.

“It is reported that a group of learners, including the deceased, were playing around the soccer posts at school when a goal post fell on the learner, resulting in severe injuries.”

The department said the school immediately called paramedics, who arrived about 20 minutes later and attempted to resuscitate the learner, but he was declared dead at the scene.

It said it would conduct an enquiry with police, who will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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“The department has dispatched its psycho-social support unit to the school to provide the necessary counselling and support to learners, educators, and the bereaved family during this extremely difficult time,” it said.

Chiloane offered condolences to the learner’s family, classmates, educators, and the entire school.

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The Gauteng Education Department (GED) is in talks with public scholar transport operators to settle outstanding payments after some service providers halted operations on Monday, leaving learners stranded and contributing to low attendance at several schools.

The disruption comes just weeks after a fatal scholar transport crash in the Vaal area in mid-January, when a minibus transporting pupils collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark, leaving 14 schoolchildren dead, and the driver of the minibus charged with murder.

The GDE said in a statement that it acknowledged the “challenges” currently affecting the GDE Scholar Transport Programme, which led to some providers stopping work on Monday.

The department said it was “actively engaging” with operators to address unpaid invoices.

“We appeal to service providers to provide a continuous, uninterrupted transportation of all learners under the programme as we work tirelessly within available financial processes to finalise payments accordingly,” the department said.

It advised schools to use appropriate academic recovery measures to ensure that teaching and learning remained on track until the matter was resolved.

“We remain committed to collaboration and constructive engagements with our stakeholders in resolving any matters that may arise. To this end, we encourage all our stakeholders to always engage with us on issues they face within the sector,” said Education MEC Matome Chiloane.

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The death toll from a scholar transport crash near Vanderbijlpark has risen to 14 after a learner died in hospital on Monday evening.

The crash took place early Monday morning, when a private minibus taxi collided with a truck.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus taxi was transporting learners to five different schools, including both primary and high schools.

At the time of the crash, the Toyota Quantum was overloaded, carrying 17 learners instead of the certified 14 occupants, according to police.

This was not the first time the driver had driven recklessly. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the driver had previously been reprimanded for reckless driving.

Eleven schoolchildren died at the scene, three other learners later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

According to an eyewitness who was overtaken by the scholar transport taxi, the driver overtook his vehicle and four other cars before colliding with the truck.

The minibus taxi driver is currently in hospital receiving medical treatment. Police have opened a case of culpable homicide.

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The death toll from a scholar transport crash near Vanderbijlpark has risen to 13, the Gauteng Department of Education said on Monday afternoon.

“All information remains preliminary as investigations continue,” the department added.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he was “deeply devastated” by the crash, which occurred at around 7am when a private scholar transport vehicle collided with a side tipper truck on Fred Droste Road.

“It really is a tragic day for us as the Department and the province. We extend our deepest condolences to the learners, families, and school communities affected. We call for greater vigilance when it comes to scholar transports, particularly private scholar transport,” said Chiloane.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said she had learned “with deep sadness” of the crash.

“The Department of Basic Education stands ready to provide psychosocial support to affected learners, educators, and families, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Education,” Gwarube said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement in which he addressed the crash and the weekend violence on the Cape Flats.

He said he was saddened by the loss of life of children in both incidents and offered his “deepest sympathies to all families and communities concerned”.

“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners.”

The president said national and provincial authorities would provide families and schools with psychosocial support.

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Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has dismissed what he said were misleading and unfounded claims that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) prioritises foreign nationals over South African learners when placing children in public schools.

“We wish to reiterate that the department does not have a directive that instructs schools or officials to prioritise foreign nationals during learner placements,” Chiloane said. 

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He added that no school is permitted to place foreign national learners ahead of South African learners, warning that any school or official found contravening admissions policies would face consequences.

The department said applications for Grades 2 to 7 and Grades 9 to 11 are handled directly by schools, unlike the online admissions system used for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements, which limits the department’s ability to influence placements.

Schools have been opened since Wednesday, and the department said only 2,763 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners remained unplaced across the province, including 735 Grade 1 learners and 2,028 Grade 8 learners. 

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“The only limitation that currently poses a challenge is the lack of capacity in schools, particularly in high-pressure areas. Despite this, the department is working diligently to identify available spaces and ensure that every learner is placed as fairly and efficiently as possible,” the department said.

The GDE Online Admissions system has already placed 27,140 late applicants for Grade 1 and Grade 8, including 14,273 Grade 1 learners and 12,867 Grade 8 learners. 

“We remain committed to ensuring that every child who qualifies for placement is accommodated at a public school in Gauteng,” Chiloane said. 

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The Department of Basic Education has assured parents and the nation that all unplaced learners will be allocated schools when learning begins on Wednesday.

Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s spokesperson, Luvuyo Vangqa, told Inside Politics that provinces are making steady progress in clearing placement backlogs.

He said learner placement figures change daily and provinces have committed to accommodating all learners as schools reopen for the 2026 academic year.

“It might not always be the parent’s school of choice due to extremely high demand in certain areas. However, we are encouraged by the progress shown by provinces as they address the backlog,” Vangqa said.

As of Tuesday, January 6, Gauteng’s online admissions system recorded 4,858 unplaced Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners — comprising 1,381 Grade 1 and 3,477 Grade 8 learners.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the figures reflected sustained progress in learner placement for the 2026 academic year.

“This represents approximately 1.5% of the total 358,574 complete applications received for 2026, which include 175,792 Grade 1 and 182,782 Grade 8 applicants,” Chiloane said.

He added that placement and transfer offers are being released daily, supported by targeted interventions in high-pressure districts.

“The department continues to work 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.

Chiloane noted that most unplaced learners are concentrated in urban areas, where population growth and infrastructure constraints continue to strain school capacity.

Ekurhuleni currently has the highest number of unplaced learners, followed by Johannesburg, Tshwane, Sedibeng and the West Rand. Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg remain priority districts for placement.

During the late application period, which opened on December 17, 2025, a total of 11,183 applications were received and processed.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape reported about 7,200 unplaced learners, while Mpumalanga said more than 9,800 learners still require placement.

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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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The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has announced that late applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 will open on 17 December 2025.

This follows MEC Matome Chiloane’s update on the latest progress regarding Grade 1 and Grade 8 learner placements for the 2026 academic year through the Gauteng Online Admissions system.

The announcement, made on Thursday at King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, provided an update on placement progress, indicating that as of 3 December, 88.7% of learners had been placed.

“317 988 out of 358 574 Grade 1 & Grade 8 unique applicants have been placed,” Chiloane said.

According to the department, 160 262 learners have been placed in Grade 1, while 157 726 have been placed in Grade 8.

However, 40 586 learners remain unplaced, with some experiencing delays due to late submission of required documents, falsified proof of home addresses, and requests to reverse acceptance of placement offers.

“The placement process is slowed by parents/guardians who do not accept offers as final and hold onto spaces,” said Chiloane.

“We urge parents to accept placement offers to ensure that all learners are placed in schools.”

The department has identified schools that have reached full capacity and is working to secure alternative placements for unplaced learners.

“About seven primary schools with capacity ranging from 160 – 300, received between 1000 to 1387 applications to process and about 140 Secondary Schools received between 1000 and 3 288 applications to process. These schools have reached capacity,” Chiloane said.

“Over five years, we approved the construction of 3 799 additional self-built classrooms, providing approximately 250 000 spaces and currently, schools are in the process of building 1 745 self-built classrooms to accommodate at least 61 075 learners.”

The GDE also announced that the provincial matric results ceremony will take place on 13 January 2026 at the BCX Multi-Function Room in Centurion, in partnership with the Telkom Foundation.

“To Gauteng’s extraordinary Matric Class of 2025, you have demonstrated remarkable resilience, discipline, and courage throughout your NSC journey,” said Chiloane.

“You now stand at the end of a 12-year path that began with your very first steps into a classroom. The same commitment you have shown over the past 12 years should guide you as you build the lives you envision.”

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The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of an “obsession” and a campaign to assassinate Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s character, following a Sunday World article alleging corruption in school security tenders linked to matric exams.

In a statement issued on Monday, the department said it rejected the “misleading and sensationalist” online article published on Wednesday, 12 November, headlined, “Matric exams at risk amid alleged Gauteng school security tender corruption – DA”.

“This unfortunate article, which appears to rely solely on a statement issued by the Democratic Alliance (DA), irresponsibly questions the integrity of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in the province”, the GDE said.

Sunday World reported that the DA had received information from an alleged whistleblower claiming senior GDE officials were engaging in systemic corruption in security tenders for “the protection of matriculation exam papers”.

The newspaper wrote that the GDE “preselected certain companies to receive tenders in exchange for kickbacks ranging from 10% to 20%”, based on the whistleblower’s claims.

The GDE said it was “deeply concerning” that Sunday World published the allegations “without any credible evidence”.

The department said the DA had become desperate in its search for “any opportunity to portray the Premier in a negative light”. It said the article was based “purely on hearsay” and had “chained” these allegations as facts without obtaining direct comment from the department.

“This approach reflects a troubling disregard for journalistic ethics and defeats the impartiality that reporting should embody,” the GDE said.

“We strongly believe that the article is misleading. It amplifies speculation and manufactures a crisis where none exists”.

The department said it condemned the spread of unverified information during the matric examination period.

It added that since the start of the NSC examinations there had been no record of “any breach in security that could compromise the integrity or facilitation of the NSC examination process in Gauteng”.

“We can confirm that all storage and distribution points have been allocated adequate security in line with norms and standards”, the GDE said.

The department said it was adamant that no question papers or scripts had been reported as compromised, and that “all papers are handled exclusively by GDE Examination officials, not by any external service providers”.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said it was “unfortunate [and] irresponsible for anyone to opportunistically share information that questions the integrity of the NSC examinations without any basis”.

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Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has called on the province’s matriculants to disconnect from social media until the conclusion of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, saying it poses a serious risk to their emotional well-being and academic focus.

Speaking at the 2025 Grade 12 NSC pledge signing ceremony at Hoërskool Vorentoe in Johannesburg, Chiloane urged learners to exercise discipline and resist online distractions.

“I urge you to disconnect from social media during this critical period. These platforms, which can be wonderful tools for connection, too often become breeding grounds for anxiety, false information, and cyberbullying during exam time. I am not asking you, I am instructing you: stay off social media during your examinations. Your emotional well-being depends on it,” he said.

The MEC’s warning came as over 192,000 candidates across Gauteng took part in pledge signing ceremonies held at 1,040 examination centres, at which the committed to honesty and integrity ahead of the final exams.

At Hoërskool Vorentoe, where 221 candidates joined 169 learners from neighbouring Westbury Secondary School, Chiloane reminded the Class of 2025 that their educational journey was bound by a unique sense of destiny and shared purpose.

“In 2013, two significant events occurred. First, the Council of Education Ministers established this pledge requirement. Secondly, you, the Class of 2025, entered Grade 1, beginning a journey that brings you here today. Somehow, it is as if destiny aligned your educational path with this commitment to integrity,” he said.

The MEC praised the cohort for demonstrating resilience and adaptability through years of disruptions and change.

“Class of 2025, you carry a special distinction. As the 18th cohort to write the NSC examinations, you have navigated unprecedented challenges. You adapted to online learning, returned to modified classrooms, and still managed to master not just traditional subjects but new offerings like technical mathematics and sign language. Your resilience has already been tested and proven,” Chiloane said.

He emphasised that the NSC examination was a defining national milestone that could unlock future opportunities.

Chiloane reiterated the department’s zero-tolerance stance on exam irregularities, warning candidates that any form of cheating or misconduct would be met with serious consequences.

“No cellphones or watches in examination rooms, not in your pocket, not in your bag, nowhere. No disruptive behaviour. No unauthorised materials or devices. No giving or receiving assistance. No writing on behalf of another candidate,” he cautioned.

He further called on learners to play an active role in safeguarding the credibility of the exams by reporting wrongdoing.

The MEC also commended teachers, parents, school governing bodies, and community and religious leaders for supporting learners through their educational journey.

He said the collaboration between schools and communities demonstrated the power of collective effort in nurturing academic excellence.

“Be the cohort remembered not only for the highest pass rate, but for the highest integrity rate. Be the generation that made cheating obsolete. I want a 100% pass rate from you,” he said.

The 2025 NSC examinations will begin on Tuesday.

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The Gauteng education department has officially opened online admissions for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for the 2026 academic year, and many parents are feeling anxious about securing a spot for their child. 

However, Tieho Mokoena, who is the principal at SPARK Turffontein in the south of Johannesburg, said that with some planning and preparation, the online application process could be manageable.

She advised parents to start by visiting a school’s website to understand the application process and required documents. 

“You cannot delay your application until the end of the year to secure a spot for your child in the school of your choice,” Mokoena said. 

She shared five tips to help parents navigate the school application process.

They included visiting the school website to understand the application process and required documents, double checking your application for accuracy and submitting required documents and making payments to secure a spot.

Parents and guardians must check on the progress of the application and visit the school to learn about its values and environment to see if the child will fit in.

“The application process might feel daunting, but if parents and guardians do a little homework and preparation, the process should go much smoother,” Mokoena said.

The online application for Gauteng opened on 24 July and closes at midnight on 29 August.

The department said that on the first day it had already processed 213,000 Grade 1 and Grade 8 online applications.

Education MEC Matome Chiloane advised parents to take advantage of the system as it allowed them to identify schools within the feeder zones covering their home address.

“Selecting schools within the correct feeder zones improves the chances of securing placement closer to home and helps reduce daily travel distances for learners,” he reiterated.

To improve the likelihood of placement, parents are required to apply to at least three schools and may apply to a maximum of five. 

All necessary documents must be submitted or uploaded within seven days of the application. 

The department said parents requiring help could visit their nearest district office or one of the 81 decentralised walk-in centres across Gauteng. 

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Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane is devastated by the death of Simphiwe ‘Mcebo’ Biyela, an 18-year-old Grade 11 learner from Musi High School in Soweto, saying the department is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of pupils.

Biyela was allegedly stabbed by a University of Johannesburg student while returning home on Tuesday, resulting in disturbances at Musi High School and other institutions in Pimville, Soweto.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the learner’s family, friends, and the entire community during this painful time. The department remains committed to supporting the school and ensuring the safety and well-being of all learners and staff. Learning and teaching will continue as normal tomorrow,” he said in a statement.

Schooling was disrupted again at Musi during the third period when a group of approximately 150 students forced their way out of the school grounds on Thursday. They disrupted classes two other schools in the area before marching to the University of Johannesburg in protest of Biyela’s death.

The department has confirmed that the pupils at the schools are safe and police are investigating Biyela’s stabbing.

“We plead for communities in the surrounding areas to allow law enforcement agencies to address this injustice, and refrain from further disrupting schooling,” Chiloane said.

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The Gauteng education department is urgently working on a plan to ensure that schooling is not disrupted at Riverlea High School, south of Johannesburg, following a blaze that gutted 11 classrooms and furniture on Sunday night.

The department said on Monday that according to preliminary reports, the fire started in an unused classroom and rapidly spread, destroying a block of 11 classrooms and all the boys’ toilets.

It said four of the classrooms were currently being used by Grade 8 learners and the remainder were unoccupied.

Schooling resumes next week on Monday.

“A temporary plan has been put in place to use the school hall for affected learners while arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of four mobile classrooms, fully furnished, to replace the lost classrooms,” the department said in a statement.

“Approximately 230 learners are directly impacted by the aftermath of this fire, and every effort is being made to normalise the situation swiftly.”

The rest of the school’s infrastructure remained intact and operations for other grades would continue without significant challenges.

Education MEC Matome Chiloane has warned that those responsible for the blaze would be dealt with.

“We condemn this senseless act of destruction in the strongest possible terms. An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country and acts of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” said Chiloane.

He appealed to anyone information to come forward and assist the police with their investigations.

Meanwhile, the school’s governing body told Newzroom Afrika that security was an issue, with guards and wardens only in place from Mondays to Fridays.

It said it had reached out to the department on numerous occasions to assist the school with security and upgrading facilities.

The SGB welcomed the mobile classrooms, but said it was not enough. It appealed for the entire school to be rebuilt as infrastructure was in desperate need of an upgrade.

No one was hurt in the blaze.

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Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has reminded schools that corporal punishment has been outlawed following a principal from Hammanskraal being investigated by authorities.

He said on Wednesday that the principal would report to the district office as a precaution while an internal investigation was conducted.

According to the department, one learner from Madisong High School claimed to have been physically assaulted earlier this year, while another reported being hurt on the hand after allegedly being punished for missing a holiday catch-up programme.

“We are extremely disheartened by these reports and remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring schools are safe spaces for all learners,” Chiloane said in a statement.

“We remind all staff that corporal punishment is strictly prohibited by law, and any violation will be met with swift and decisive action.”

The parents of the learners have been encouraged to open a case with the police.

The MEC emphasised the department’s ongoing efforts to conduct advocacy campaigns to reinforce that corporal punishment was prohibited in all schools.

He said any educator accused of assault would be subjected to a formal disciplinary process.

Education support teams have been dispatched to offer psychosocial and emotional support to affected learners and their families.

“Learners and community members are encouraged to report any cases of abuse through various communication channels to their nearest district office,” said Chilloane.

“The department assures all learners that reported cases, anonymous or otherwise, are investigated thoroughly.”

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The Gauteng education department has terminated its collaboration with Nal’iBali, effective immediately, following an alleged sexual assault by a practitioner from the reading campaign on a Grade 3 learner at Braamfischerville Primary School.

The incident reportedly occurred on 24 March and was brought to the school’s attention by the learner’s parent the next day. When the school principal learnt of the allegations, he encouraged the parent to file a criminal case.

“Indeed, this is an exceedingly disturbing incident. Our children must never experience such cruelty by some adults who are supposed to assist to develop and take care of them,” Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane said on Wednesday.

“We remain committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all learners. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and relevant partners to ensure that incidents of this nature are dealt with swiftly, transparently and justly”.

A joint meeting was arranged to update the School Governing Body on the latest developments, and a parent engagement workshop had been organised for the weekend to provide additional information.

The practitioner, who is not a member of the department, was suspended before his arrest on 28 March. His bail hearing was scheduled for Monday.

Nal’iBali is a national reading-for-enjoyment programme that collaborates with the government to help South African children reach their full potential via storytelling and reading, particularly in foundation phase learning.

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said: “It must be emphasised that the department has been conducting a vetting on all existing school-based employees and newly appointed employees.”

He said the state that their records revealed that about 42 incidences of sexual misconduct were submitted to the department.

Mabona said 19 cases had been completed, resulting in approximately 11 employees being dismissed, four employees being found not guilty, two cases being withdrawn against employees due to insufficient evidence, and one employee resigning while another retiring from the public service.

“We have about 23 cases pending finalisation, of which about 15 are at various stages of disciplinary hearings, and eight cases are still under investigation,” Mabona said.

In all reported cases, the alleged perpetrators were either placed on precautionary suspension or reassigned to district offices until the completion of the investigations.

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