News

Gauteng’s 2026 School Admissions Are Now Open, And This Year, the System’s Supercharged

Published

2 months ago

July 24, 2025

Chiraag

Gauteng online school admissions, apply Grade 1 and 8 2026, education department Gauteng, gdeadmissions.gov.za help, school application portal SA, Matome Chiloane admissions, online registration Gauteng, Joburg ETC

If you’re a Gauteng parent with a little one heading to Grade 1 or Grade 8 in 2026, the time has come to act. The Gauteng Department of Education officially launched its online admissions portal on Thursday, 24 July 2025, and the digital gates are now open for applications.

But this isn’t just any year. Behind the scenes, the department has pulled off a quiet tech revolution. After years of complaints about system crashes and login chaos, the newly upgraded platform is promising faster speeds, smoother sign-ups, and, finally, less frustration for parents.

What You Need to Know

The online application window for the 2026 academic year will remain open until midnight on Friday, 29 August 2025. Parents and guardians can apply using any device by visiting www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.

During the process, you’ll be prompted to create a new profile, complete with fresh login credentials. (Yes, even if you used the system last year, your old details won’t work.) Once registered, you’ll be able to select three to five schools to apply to per child. All public schools will remain visible and available on the system for the full duration of the application window; no first-come, first-served panic.

Tech Upgrades That Actually Work

In a refreshing twist, MEC Matome Chiloane said the launch ran smoothly with no major hiccups. According to Chiloane, the revamped system can now handle up to 40,000 applications per minute. That’s a big leap from the traffic jams and stalled progress bars of previous years.

The system reportedly processed 80,000 applications on launch day alone, a sign that parents are wasting no time getting their applications in.

Need Help? Walk-In Centres Are Ready

Not everyone has easy access to the internet or data, and the department is acknowledging that reality. There are 81 walk-in centres across Gauteng, where parents and guardians can get in-person help with registering and applying online.

Whether you’re more comfortable with your phone or would rather get help at a centre, the goal is the same: making the process simpler and more inclusive.

More Than a Form: Why It Matters

For many families, school placement is not just about convenience. It’s about future access to opportunity, language options, transport routes, and long-term academic quality. That’s why digital systems like this matter so much.

The department’s efforts to improve the admissions platform could help reduce anxiety, especially for parents in underserved areas who have often been at a disadvantage when systems lag or crash. While we’re still early in the application season, the smoother rollout offers a hopeful sign.

Stay Calm and Apply

Chiloane’s advice? “Stay calm.” There’s no need to panic or rush the system at midnight. Schools will remain open in the portal until the closing date, and parents are encouraged to take time to select the right schools for their child.

As long as you apply by 29 August 2025, you’ll be in the running.