The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has announced that late applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 for 2026 will open on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
This applies to parents and guardians who missed the main application period or whose applications were incomplete.
GDE Spokesperson Steve Mabona explained that during the late application window, only schools with available space will appear on the system.
“Parents and guardians may select one school only, and once chosen, the learner will be placed at that school,” he said.
As of 16 December, the department reported that 10,295 learners remain unplaced: 2,848 for Grade 1 and 7,447 for Grade 8. Mabona emphasised that the department is working daily to release placement and transfer offers, particularly in high-demand areas.
Mabona also confirmed that learner placements continue across all districts, with students allocated according to the regulated admissions criteria. Transfer offers are only made once all schools chosen by a parent are full, and placements are assigned to the closest available school.
“Parents whose applications show ‘Application is being processed’ or ‘School Reached Capacity’ can expect a transfer offer once their status changes to ‘Transfer offer made,’” he said.
He added that the GDE is currently processing 5,199 appeals. Parents who receive a transfer placement at a school they did not select have seven days to accept or decline it. Declined offers can be formally objected to, with decisions communicated within 14 days. If unsatisfied, parents may submit a final appeal within seven days, after which outcomes are final and no alternative placements are offered.
“Parents have seven days to respond to a transfer offer, and all objections and appeals are handled in line with admissions regulations. Once the appeal process is complete, outcomes are final,” said Mabona.
GDE MEC Matome Chiloane urged parents to use the late application period responsibly and to be patient as the department continues to work to place every learner fairly and efficiently.
The Star