Gauteng Education Department works to place 5,500 remaining Grade 1 and 8 learners

The Gauteng Department of Education has revealed that nearly 5,500 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners have yet to be placed in schools across the province as the 2026 academic calendar approaches.

THE BREAKDOWN
The figures include a significant number of students whose parents utilised the provincial online application system:

Grade 1: More than 1,400 learners are awaiting placement.

Grade 8: Nearly 4,000 learners are awaiting placement.

The department noted that it is actively working to clear the backlog by releasing placement and transfer offers on a daily basis, with a specific focus on identified high-pressure areas where demand exceeds available capacity.

In addition to the initial application pool, the department is managing a surge of new interest. Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that thousands have joined the queue since mid-December.

“The system also recorded over 7,000 grade 1 and 8 of the late applications. These are those that would have been accommodated since we opened the system for late applications on the 17th of December. The system will remain open and make sure that those that are willing to utilise the system for late applications are in a position to do so.”