Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
10 July 2024 | 15:20 CAT
2 min read

The MEC for Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, announced that online applications for pupils enrolling in Grades 1 and 8 for 2025 will open at 8:00 AM on Thursday and close at midnight on August 12th. Parents and guardians are advised to apply to at least three and up to five schools to avoid disadvantages.

Chiloane emphasised that parents of children in Grade R must still apply for Grade 1 admission, as current enrollment does not guarantee placement.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Department reiterated the importance of applying to 3 to 5 schools to broaden the chances of placement, as relying on a single school can be problematic if it is full.

“The capacity can only take a certain number. Out of the school you have applied to, we will give you one that can accommodate you,” said Mabona.

Chiloane advised against using internet cafes for applications due to information integrity concerns. For Grades R, 2-7, and 9-12, parents must apply directly to schools.

Mabona pointed out that they often encounter situations where parents claim to have applied, but their documents are not uploaded, the applications are incomplete, or they contain incorrect information, which disadvantages them. Hence the advice against using internet cafes for applications.

Applications can be made online at schools or through 80 working centres across the province.

“There are over 80 centres available for parents to sort out their applications; they can also go to the schools or call our toll number (011 355 0000) for assistance,” he said.

For Grades R, 2-7, and 9-12, parents must apply directly to schools.

Required documents include the parents’ identity document or passport, the child’s identity document, passport, or birth certificate, proof of residence, the latest Grade 7 report for Grade 8 applications, and a clinic card and immunization report for Grade 1 applications.

Parents are urged to use their home address when applying, as work addresses are not always reliable.

The department will begin placing students on September 16^th, focusing on completed applications first. To expand capacity, the department aims to build 15-20 new schools annually.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Department, here.