As of January 6, the Gauteng Department of Education’s online admissions system recorded a total of 4 858 unplaced learners.
This represents approximately 1.5% of the total 358 574 complete applications received for the 2026 academic year, comprising 175 792 Grade One and 182 782 Grade Eight applicants.
Ekurhuleni remains the highest-pressure district.
In Ekurhuleni North, 381 are still to be placed in Grade One, while 1 360 await placement in Grade Eight.In Ekurhuleni South, the numbers are 569 and 612, respectively.
The situation seems better in Gauteng East, where 85 learners are waiting to be placed in Grade One and 162 in Grade Eight.
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The department said it continues to release placement and transfer offers daily, supported by targeted interventions in high-pressure districts, to ensure that all remaining learners are placed as efficiently and fairly as possible, in line with regulated admissions criteria and available school capacity.
Placement data by district indicate that the majority of the remaining unplaced learners are concentrated in urban and metropolitan districts, where sustained population growth and infrastructure constraints continue to put pressure on available school capacity.
The GDE has prioritised Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg as high-pressure districts, with intensified district-based placement, continued release of placement and transfer offers, and strategic utilisation of available capacity across neighbouring schools.
The late applications period, which commenced on December 17, 2025, and will close on January 30, has to date recorded a total of 11 183 late applications, comprising:
All late applications processed during this period result in final placements at the school selected by parents or guardians, subject to available capacity.
Parents are advised to visit the selected school from January 14 to submit all required documentation.
Placements made during this period cannot be declined, and no objections or appeals will be permitted thereafter.
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The department confirms that a total of 6 736 placement appeals have been lodged as part of the 2026 online admissions process, and only 637 objections await adjudication.
The appeals adjudication process is at an advanced stage, with outcomes communicated directly to parents and guardians as finalisation progresses.
Parents are reminded that appeal outcomes are final.
“We are encouraged by the steady progress made in placing learners across Gauteng. We once again urge parents and guardians to remain patient and cooperative as the Department continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every Grade One and Grade Eight learner is placed for the 2026 academic year,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.
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