By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Gauteng’s 2027 Grade 1 and Grade 8 online applications open on 5 August and close on 4 September.
- MEC Lebogang Maile warned parents not to pay anyone promising a school place, and warned that fake documents could lead to criminal charges.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has a warning for parents ahead of next year’s school admissions: don’t pay anyone who promises you a spot.
“No public school place in Gauteng is for sale,” Maile said.
The Gauteng Department of Education will open online applications for 2027 Grade 1 and Grade 8 admissions at 8am on 5 August. Applications close at midnight on 4 September.
Parents are urged to apply to at least three schools and no more than five. Supporting documents must be submitted within seven school days after applying.
Maile warned parents against using fake proof of residence or other false documents when applying for their children. Parents caught doing so could lose their child’s place and face criminal charges.
The department will send updates to parents by SMS, so parents are urged to keep the same phone number they used to apply.
Children currently in Grade R must still apply online for Grade 1. They will not be automatically moved up.
Gauteng now has more than 2.4 million learners across 2,111 public schools, an increase of more than 23,000 learners between 2025 and 2026.
Maile said this growth has placed more pressure on schools.
He said the online admissions system helps the department plan for teachers, classrooms and other school needs, and urged parents to apply early and provide correct information.
Pictured above:
Image source: The Gauteng Department of Education/ Facebook Page
