Over 600,000 Applications for Grade 1 and 8 in Gauteng

JOHANNESBURG — 5 August 2025

Gauteng parents submitted over 600,000 school applications within two weeks of the 2026 admissions system opening.

Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed 600,936 applications were received by Tuesday afternoon, calling it “a clear indication of the public’s confidence in the province’s education system.” (MEC statement)

Of these, 254 251 were for Grade 1 and 346 685 for Grade 8.

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) urged parents to apply before the 29 August deadline via www.gdeadmissions.gov.za, stressing incomplete applications won’t be considered.

Parents must upload certified documents online or deliver them to schools within seven days. Schools will verify submissions, with SMS confirmations sent to parents.

Eighty-one walk-in centres and all public schools offer application help for those without internet access.

The department recommends applying to 3-5 schools to increase placement chances. Placement offers will go out via SMS starting 16 October for complete applications.

“We continue to urge all parents to apply online,” said Chiloane.