The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that the 2026 Online Admissions Application process for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners will officially open on Thursday, 24 July 2025 at 8am. This system is designed specifically for parents and guardians whose children will be entering Grade 1 or Grade 8 in 2026.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane reminded parents during a media briefing that applications must be made online, even for children currently in Grade R. “Parents with children that are currently in Grade R must also apply online for their children to be admitted to Grade 1 for 2026 in line with Admissions Regulations. There is no automatic placement from Grade R to Grade 1,” he said.
Important Note: Applications for grades other than Grade 1 and 8 must be submitted directly to schools in your local area.
New Online Admission Profiles Required
All parents and guardians must register a new profile on the GDE admissions website: www.gdeadmissions.gov.za. Previous login details will no longer work. After registration, parents must create a new username and password to access and manage their application.
“Parents must keep these credentials safe as they will use them to access the Online Admissions System, and view and manage their profile and application details,” said Chiloane. Parents must also accept the POPI disclaimer, provide correct ID numbers, and accept the system’s terms and conditions.
5 Step Application Process
Once logged in, parents are required to complete the full 5 Step Application Process:
• Submit accurate and complete information
• Upload or submit required documents within 7 days of applying
• Choose at least 3 and up to 5 schools during the application process
“Registering a profile without completing every step of the 5 Step Application Process will result in an incomplete application and the applicant not being considered for placement,” warned the MEC.
SMS Notifications and Updates
To receive all updates, parents must provide one valid cellphone number during registration. “Every step of the application process will be confirmed via SMS for security and verification purposes,” explained Chiloane. Weekly pop-up messages and SMS reminders will be sent, including confirmations of document submission and verification.
Should you change your number, contact the GDE for assistance to avoid missing vital updates.
Choose Schools Wisely
Parents are advised to use the “Home Address Within School Feeder Zone” option to increase their chances of being placed at a school near their home. Selecting schools within the relevant feeder zone improves the likelihood of successful placement.
All schools will remain open and accessible on the system throughout the application period.
Application Deadline
No new applications will be accepted after 29 August 2025 at midnight. Parents are urged not to wait until the last minute to apply.
Beware of Scams
The MEC issued a strong warning against scams: “Bogus operators are scamming parents by falsely promising guaranteed placements in exchange for money. All scams and illegal placements must be reported to the GDE. The GDE does not charge any fees for assisting parents with the application process — all official support is completely free,” he emphasised.
Visit the official GDE admissions website at www.gdeadmissions.gov.za for more information and to start your application.
