Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane urges parents to submit school applications on time to secure placement for their children in 2026. Image: X: @EducationGP1
(The Post News)- As the 2026 school admission period approaches, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is urging parents to apply early to avoid missing out on placements at their preferred schools.
Speaking to the media in Johannesburg on Sunday, 20 July 2025, about the department’s preparations for the upcoming online admissions, he cautioned that parents who miss the deadline may not secure placement for their children.
Applications for learners entering Grades 1 and 8 will open on Thursday, 24 July 2025, at 8:00 am and close on Tuesday, 29 August 2025, at midnight.
Chiloane explained, “It is advisable that parents apply during this window period because placement is only possible at schools with available spaces. If you apply late, we may not be able to place your child at your preferred school. Parents can only apply to schools listed on the system at the time of their application.”
He emphasised that parents with children currently in Grade R (the reception year before Grade 1) at their preferred school must still submit an application, as placement in Grade 1 is not automatic. According to Chiloane, there is no system in place for automatic progression.
To increase their chances of placement, parents are encouraged to apply to multiple schools. He also reminded them to upload or submit all required documents within seven days of applying, warning that failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.
Chiloane further cautioned parents to ensure they use valid proof of address, as schools have the right to verify this information. He noted that some parents submit proof of address for locations where they do not actually reside.
“We, as the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), support the school’s decision to verify if the child lives in the specific area provided as proof of address,” said Chiloane.
For more information on the application process, parents can visit the Gauteng Department of Education’s official website.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
About the Author
