Over 2 000 children still without schools in Gauteng

Day 3 of the 2026 academic year: Over 2 000 children still without schools in Gauteng

Mapaballo Borotho

More than 2 000 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners in Gauteng remain without schools on the third day of the 2026 academic year.
The Gauteng Department of Education says capacity constraints, especially in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg, are delaying placements but insists all qualifying learners will be accommodated.
The department has also dismissed claims that foreign nationals are prioritised over South African learners.

Friday marks the third day of the 2026 academic year, yet more than 2 000 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners in Gauteng are still without a school.

What was meant to be a year of firsts for many of these learners has turned into an unpredictable predicament, leaving both learners and their parents feeling hopeless.

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says it is working around the clock to ensure that all affected learners are placed.

Currently, 2 763 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners remain unplaced across the province, translating to 735 Grade 1 learners and 2 028 Grade 8 learners.

“The department wishes to reassure parents that all learners who qualify for placement will be accommodated in public schools. The only limitation currently posing a challenge is the lack of capacity, particularly in high-pressure areas within Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg,” said departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona.

This means that not all learners can be placed at their preferred schools immediately.

Earlier this week, hundreds of parents called for the cancellation of the online placement system, saying it is not working efficiently.

However, Mabona said the GDE Online Admissions system remains intact.

“We assure parents that applications are being processed in an orderly and transparent manner,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has dismissed claims that the department prioritises foreign nationals over South African learners during placements in public schools.

“We wish to reiterate that the department does not have a directive instructing schools or officials to prioritise foreign nationals during learner placements. On the contrary, South African learners are prioritised in line with applicable legislation, as well as the department’s admissions and placement processes,” said Chiloane.