Over 300k learners placed as Gauteng races to finalise 2026 school admissions

December 4, 2025 75

Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, says the province has placed the majority of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners for the 2026 academic year, but warns that infrastructure challenges — mainly linked to municipalities — continue to hinder the department’s progress.

Chiloane confirmed that over 300,000 learners have been placed, noting that the department received more than 820,000 applications for entry grades. He told the media on Thursday that all placements are expected to be finalised by 12 December 2025.

According to departmental data, 91.2% of Grade 1 applicants and 86.3% of Grade 8 applicants have secured spaces so far, leaving 11.3% of learners still unplaced. The MEC emphasised that while the province still has more than 87,000 spaces available, many are outside high-demand areas.

A total of 467 schools — 247 primary and 220 secondary — have reached full capacity. Chiloane noted that this year marked the first decade in which placement offer releases were delayed.

– Municipalities accused of stalling school expansion –

Chiloane sharply criticised municipalities for blocking or delaying school infrastructure projects, alleging that some councils demand bribes before approving developments.

He also said several completed schools cannot open because municipalities refuse to issue occupancy certificates unless the department builds access roads — one such road estimated to cost R165 million, a requirement he called unreasonable.

The MEC accused municipalities of prioritising private residential estates over essential public infrastructure like schools.

Despite these obstacles, Chiloane said the department is pushing ahead with construction. So far, more than 3,700 classrooms have been built, with 1,745 more underway. Of these, 1,300 classrooms are expected to be completed by March, creating space for over 61,000 learners.

– Parents urged to accept offers to avoid automatic placement –

Chiloane also urged parents to confirm placement offers to avoid delays. He revealed that 11,666 offers still require acceptance, even though the schools are already full.

The MEC said Gauteng received nearly one million applications for Grades 1 to 8, with more than 300,000 learners already placed, but 40,586 learners remain unplaced, mostly in high-pressure urban areas. He stressed that every learner will be accommodated but urged parents to act quickly.

Chiloane added that Grade 8 placements have been slowed by parents requesting changes to home-language selections, requiring corrections to maintain continuity from Grade 7.

WATCH: MEC @matomekopano gives a brief summary of the #2026OnlineAdmissionsGP Grade 1 & Grade 8 learner placement figures in Gauteng.

As of 4 December 2025, 317 988 out of 358 574 Grade 1 & Grade 8 unique applicants have been placed, translating to 88.7% of learners being… pic.twitter.com/7txOV5oIen

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) December 4, 2025