By Mapaballo Borotho
- All Grade 1 and 8 learners who applied through the 2026 online system have now been placed in Gauteng schools.
- Their placement follows weeks of uncertainty regarding the cohort that could not begin the 2026 academic year seamlessly in January due to placement issues in Gauteng.
- The total figure of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners placed for the 2026 academic year through Gauteng’s Online Admissions system is 392 224
All Grade 1 and 8 learners whose parents applied online through the 2026 online admission system have now been placed in schools.
This follows weeks of uncertainty regarding the cohort that could not begin the 2026 academic year seamlessly in January due to placement issues in Gauteng.
Education spokesperson in the province, Steve Mabona, confirmed the complete placement of the remaining learners on Wednesday, 04 March 2026.
“Approximately 484 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners remained unplaced in Ekurhuleni, specifically in Tembisa and Kempton Park. By Tuesday evening on 3 March 2026, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had successfully placed all remaining learners at alternative schools in the respective areas,” said Mabona.
Learners who were unplaced in January left a bitter taste in most parents’ mouths, with many calling for the ban of the online placement system, citing ineffectiveness.
In numbers, the total figure of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners placed for the 2026 academic year through Gauteng’s Online Admissions system is 392 224.
“The Department wishes to express its sincere appreciation of the patience and resilience shown by parents and guardians, particularly while tireless efforts were underway to secure placements for all remaining learners. Schools will initiate appropriate catch-up plans to assist learners recover any curriculum time lost,” said Mabona.
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