KASIBC_AFRICA
4858 GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 LEARNERS REMAIN TO BE PLACED IN GAUTENG
CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane wishes to announce that *only 4858 learners remain unplaced as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process for Grade 1 and Grade 8, reflecting sustained progress in learner placement across Gauteng for the 2026 academic year.
As at *Tuesday, 6 January 2026*, the Gauteng Department of Education’s Online Admissions system recorded a total of 4858 unplaced learners, translating to:
Grade 1: 1381 learners
Grade 8: 3477 learners
This represents approximately 1.5% of the total 358 574 complete applications received for the 2026 academic year, comprising 175 792 Grade 1 and 182 782 Grade 8 applicants.
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.
PLACEMENT PER DISTRICT: HIGH-PRESSURE AREAS
Placement data per district indicates that the majority of the remaining unplaced learners are concentrated in urban and metropolitan districts, where sustained population growth and infrastructure constraints continue to place pressure on available school capacity.
Ekurhuleni Districts
Ekurhuleni remains the highest-pressure district, with a combined total of:
Ekurhuleni North: 1741 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 381; Grade 8: 1360)
Ekurhuleni South: 1181 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 569; Grade 8: 612)
Gauteng East: 247 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 85; Grade 8: 162)
This results in a total of 3169 unplaced learners in Ekurhuleni, with pressure particularly at Grade 8 level in Ekurhuleni North.
Johannesburg Districts
Only two Johannesburg districts account for a significant number of remaining unplaced learners:
Johannesburg North: 3 Grade 8 learners
Johannesburg East: 1173 (Grade 1: 95; Grade 8: 1078)
Johannesburg South: 352 (Grade 1: 250; Grade 8: 102)
Placement pressure remains highest in Johannesburg East, largely driven by demand for secondary school placements.
Tshwane Districts
Tshwane has shown significant progress in placing learners, with only Tshwane having a minuscule amount of learners to place:
Tshwane North: 14 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 1; Grade 8: 13)
Sedibeng and West Rand Districts
Sedibeng and West Rand have also shown tremendous placement progress with comparatively lower numbers as well and are largely stabilised:
Sedibeng East: 70 (Only Grade 8)
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.
LATE APPLICATIONS FOR GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 REMAIN OPEN
The Late Applications period, which commenced on 17 December 2025 and will close on 30 January 2026, has to date recorded a total of 11 183 late applications, comprising:
5 701 Grade 1 learners
5 482 Grade 8 learners
All late applications processed during this period result in final placements at the school selected by parents or guardians, subject to available capacity.
Parents are advised to visit the selected school from 14 January 2026 to submit all required documentation.
MEC Chiloane reminds parents and guardians that the 2026 Online Admissions system remains open for Late Applications, particularly for those who did not apply during the main application period or whose applications were incomplete.
Parents and guardians are urged to apply online by registering or logging on to www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.
During the Late Application period, only schools with available space will appear on the system.
Applicants may select one school only, and once selected, the learner will be finally placed for the 2026 academic year.
Placements made during this period cannot be declined, and no objections or appeals will be permitted thereafter.
PROGRESS ON APPEALS AND OBJECTIONS FOR 2026 ONLINE ADMISSIONS
The Department confirms that a grand total of 6736 placement appeals* have been lodged as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process, and only 637 objections await adjudication. The appeals adjudication process is at an advanced stage, with outcomes communicated directly to parents and guardians as finalisation progresses.
Parents are reminded that appeal outcomes are final.
“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,” said MEC Chiloane.
