Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
24 July 2025 | 18:38 CAT

📸 Admissions for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements in Gauteng for 2026 are now open.

The Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) online admissions platform for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements in 2026 has launched with remarkable success, clocking over 215,000 applications by lunchtime on its first day.

“No major glitches were reported,” confirmed GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, attributing the smooth rollout to ongoing system reviews. “Each year we reflect on the system and improve. That’s what we’ve done hence the success rate.”

However, the positive start belies deeper structural issues. Overcrowding in Gauteng schools continues to strain the education system. “Some classrooms reportedly hold up to 39 learners each,” said Mabona. “It’s a moving target. People migrate here in large numbers from other provinces. That compounds the challenge.”

The department is pushing back through satellite schools, mobile units, and added classrooms, but new housing developments outpace the construction of new schools. “You see townhouses everywhere, but no schools to match the demand,” Mabona added.

Parents are urged to apply before 29 August 2025 to assist the department in planning resources and placements effectively. The GDE discourages the use of internet cafes for applications. “They mostly result in incomplete applications,” said Mabona. “We won’t consider incomplete applications come 16 October, and many schools will already be full.”

Instead, parents without internet access are advised to use one of the over 80 walk-in centres or seek assistance at local schools or district offices. “We’ve got enough capacity to help every parent,” Mabona assured.

Meanwhile, growing frustrations among parents over placements and infrastructure have led to threats of school closures. Mabona responded sternly: “Frustration does not justify breaking the law. Disrupting schools is a criminal offense under the BELA Act, and offenders should face arrest.”

He warned political groups and forums not to exploit education for electioneering ahead of 2026 local elections. “Leave our schools alone. Children must be in a classroom.”

As Gauteng leads in digitising education administration, balancing tech progress with infrastructural realities remains a critical challenge for the department.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Steve Mabona.