Exciting News for Gauteng Parents: Over 600,000 Successful Applications for 2026 Grade 1 and 8 Admissions!
In a remarkable achievement, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) proudly announced that more than 600,000 successful applications have been received during the 2026 Online Admissions period for Grade 1 and Grade 8 students. As per the announcement made by Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, this impressive milestone was reached on August 5, 2025, just weeks after the application window opened on July 24, 2025.
As of 2 PM on that pivotal Tuesday, a total of 600,936 applications were submitted, which included 254,251 applications for Grade 1 and 346,685 for Grade 8. This statistic highlights the eagerness of parents to secure a bright educational future for their children. For those parents who haven’t yet applied, there’s still time! The application window remains open until August 29, 2025. Parents are encouraged to visit the official GDE admissions website at www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.
To ensure a smooth application process, the GDE has outlined a straightforward five-step application procedure. It’s crucial for parents to submit complete applications, as incomplete submissions will not be considered for placement. To facilitate the process, applicants are required to upload certified documents either online or submit them in person within seven days of applying. Once documents are uploaded online, there’s no need for duplicate submissions, as all selected schools will have access to these files.
Innovatively, the GDE Online Admissions System provides schools with real-time verification of document statuses and will send SMS notifications to parents when schools confirm receipt of their documents. To maximize their chances of successful placement, parents are advised to apply to at least three schools but no more than five, thereby broadening their options.
Communication is key during this application process, and including a valid cellphone number is essential, as all updates regarding placements will be shared via SMS. Parents are advised to safeguard all SMS messages related to their application. Successful applicants will begin receiving placement offers starting October 16, 2025.
For parents without digital access, robust support is available at Gauteng public schools and through walk-in centers across the province, ensuring that every family has the opportunity to participate in the admissions process. The GDE Contact Centre is on standby for inquiries, operating Monday to Thursday from 7 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Chiloane extended heartfelt gratitude to the parents for their trust in Gauteng’s educational system and emphasized the importance of online applications. This is not just a step toward a new school year, but a leap towards fostering a supportive and organized educational environment for all students.
So, for those in Gauteng, make sure to stay informed, stay connected, and keep that application on your to-do list!
Tags: #SouthAfrica #Education #Lifestyle #WorldNews
