According to the department, all applications should be submitted through the GDE online admission system.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has officially announced dates for Grade 1 and Grade 8 students for 2026 online admission.
It was announced by Gauteng MEC on Thursday, declared by Matom Chilon, during a media briefing at Greenside High School in Johannesburg.
The application window will open on Thursday, 24 July 2025 at 8 am and Friday, midnight on 29 August 2025.
According to the department, all must be submitted through the application GDE online entry system,
The department said, “All parents and parents should apply online in Gauteng with children going to grade 1 or grade 8 in 2026 academic year.”
To apply here
Parents are urged to apply within a specified period to avoid limited school options. It further said that the school’s capacity is quickly filled.
“The late parents who apply late do not have a wide choice of schools,” GDE warned,
To ensure a successful application, parents must complete the five-step online process:
- Registered parents/guardian details
- Register home address
- Register student details
- Apply in maximum five schools
- Upload or submit assistant documents within seven school days
The application will be considered incomplete as a result of failure to complete all five stages.
The department warned, “Applicants who have registered their details without applying to any school will not be considered for placement.”
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Documents require
According to the department, certified copies of the following documents are required:
- parent ID,
- Child birth certificate,
- Evidence of home and work address,
- Grade 7 reports (for grade 8 applicants), and clinic card (for grade 1 applicants).
These can be uploaded online or presented individually in selected schools.
Placement SMS will be sent to parents from 16 October 2025, and the department has committed to keep every learner.
“The duration of the placement will continue until a very final learner is placed,” this is confirmed.
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Free help is available
According to GDE, to support applicants without internet access, the department has set up 81 decentralized walk-in centers in Gauteng. Assistance in these centers is free.
The department insisted, “Parents should not go to such businesses, which require them to pay the fee under the guise of helping to apply.”
For more information, parents are urged to visit Gauteng Department of Education Website Or call 0800 000 789.
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