Parents Rush to Apply as Gauteng Online School Admissions Open for 2026

Thousands of parents across Gauteng are now logging on in hopes of securing a spot for their children in the 2026 school year. The province's online admissions system officially opened this week, giving parents the chance to apply for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements.

The online portal is the main way for families to apply to public schools in Gauteng. Since going live, it has already seen a flood of visitors.

Many parents stayed up until midnight to be among the first to apply, hoping that an early application might improve their chances of getting their preferred school.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has promised that every child will be placed. Speaking during the launch of the admissions window, he said the department has worked hard to improve the online system so that it can handle the high traffic and process applications smoothly.

“We know that this time of year brings a lot of stress for parents,” said Chiloane. “That is why we have made changes to the system. It is more stable and more user-friendly. Every learner will be placed, and no one will be left behind.”

Applications will remain open until 29 August, giving parents more than a month to complete their submissions.

However, experience shows that many parents rush to apply on the first day due to fears that late applications might affect placement.

Some parents, like Lerato Mokoena from Soweto, say the online system is better than standing in long queues at schools, but it still makes them nervous. “It is great that we can do this from home now. But there is always that fear that if you make a mistake or your internet fails, your child might miss out on a good school,” she said.

The application process requires parents to register their details, choose up to five preferred schools, and upload documents like birth certificates and proof of residence. Schools will later review applications, and placements will be confirmed at a later stage.

Over the years, the Gauteng online admissions system has received both praise and criticism. While it has helped reduce the chaos of in-person school registration, there have been complaints of website crashes, slow loading times, and difficulties for parents who are not tech-savvy.

To address these issues, the Department of Education has set up walk-in centres across the province where parents can receive help with their online applications. Staff members are available to assist with logging in, scanning documents, and choosing schools.

"We do not want any parent to feel left out just because they do not have a computer or smartphone," said MEC Chiloane. "That is why we have support centres in every district."

While the system is designed to be fair and efficient, not all parents get their first school of choice. Placement depends on a number of factors, including how close the applicant lives to the school and the school's capacity.

In recent years, some schools have received far more applications than they can handle, especially popular schools in urban areas. This often leads to delays and frustration among parents who feel their children are being pushed out of better-resourced schools.

Still, education officials are urging calm and patience. “Every child will be placed,” Chiloane repeated. “We ask parents to apply on time, upload all required documents, and trust the process.”

As parents continue to fill out forms and upload files, the pressure is on for the system to hold up and deliver on its promises. For many families, the outcome of this process will shape the future of their children’s education.

The countdown to 29 August has officially begun.