Gauteng parents have until end January 2025 to finalize school placements for Grade 1 and 8! There’s good news for over 19,000 parents whose applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for the 2025 academic year were initially incomplete.
The Gauteng Department of Education has announced significant progress in placing learners and provided updates on the status of applications.
Placement Progress and Statistics
The department has reported success in placing the majority of the 325,000 applications received for the upcoming school year. Of these:
- 157,000 Grade 1 learners have already been placed successfully.
- Most of the 167,000 Grade 8 learners have also secured placements, with only 124 learners still awaiting allocation.
This marks a significant milestone for the department, which has been working to ensure that as many learners as possible are accommodated before the academic year begins.
Focus on Incomplete Applications
For the more than 19,000 parents whose applications remain incomplete, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has outlined the next steps. Parents will have until 30 January 2025 to finalize their applications, with the process opening on 11 December 2024.
“These 19,000 parents will need to go online and select from the available schools listed on the portal,” said Chiloane. “They won’t be able to choose random schools or approach the district directly with requests.”
This approach ensures a fair and streamlined process while allowing parents to finalize their children’s placements within the available capacity.
Grade 1 Placement Success
One of the key highlights from the department’s announcement is the successful placement of all Grade 1 applications for 2025. This achievement reflects the department’s commitment to ensuring that younger learners, many of whom will be entering formal education for the first time, are accommodated promptly.
The placement process for prospective Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners opened earlier in the year and officially closed in September. Despite challenges, the department’s efforts have resulted in nearly all applicants securing school placements.
Grade 8 Placement Nears Completion
Similarly, progress has been made with Grade 8 placements. MEC Chiloane confirmed that 99.93% of Grade 8 learners have been placed. This leaves only a small number of learners waiting for final allocation.
The department has urged parents to remain patient as they work through the final cases to ensure every learner is placed before the start of the school year.
Addressing the Challenges
The Gauteng Education Department has faced logistical challenges in managing the high volume of applications. Over the years, the province has seen an increasing demand for placements, driven by population growth and migration into the region.
To tackle these issues, the department has relied on an online application system, which, while efficient, has its limitations. Incomplete applications often delay the process, and the department has emphasized the importance of parents following instructions carefully to avoid complications.
Chiloane noted that ensuring every child has access to quality education remains the department’s top priority. He reiterated that parents with incomplete applications should use the allocated time wisely to select from the remaining available schools.
A Commitment to Education Access
The department’s progress in placing the vast majority of applicants demonstrates its dedication to ensuring access to education for all learners in Gauteng. By providing a clear process for addressing incomplete applications and prioritizing the placement of younger learners, the department is working to meet the needs of families across the province.
Final Steps for Parents
Parents with incomplete applications are encouraged to visit the online portal starting from 11 December to select schools. The deadline for finalizing these applications is 30 January 2025. Parents are reminded to choose only from the available schools to expedite the placement process.
Moving Forward
As the 2025 academic year approaches, the Gauteng Department of Education remains focused on resolving the remaining placements and ensuring a smooth start to the school year. With nearly all learners placed, the department is on track to achieve its goal of accommodating every child in the province’s education system.
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