The Gauteng Department of Education is urging parents and guardians to submit their children's 2027 online school admission applications on time to avoid missing the deadline.
Applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners will open on 5 August and close on 4 September, with the department encouraging parents to ensure all required documents are submitted promptly.
Department spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana said the province has upgraded its online admissions system following technical challenges experienced in previous years, when a high volume of applications led to system glitches.
He said the improved platform is now capable of processing up to 40,000 applications per minute, significantly increasing its capacity to handle demand.
Lubhelwana urged parents to be organised and complete their applications as early as possible.
Gauteng continues to experience high levels of inward migration, with many families relocating from other provinces, placing additional pressure on the province's education system as schools receive increasing numbers of placement applications.
Parents will be able to select up to five schools during the application process.
Lubhelwana also stressed the importance of providing accurate residential addresses and submitting the correct supporting documentation. He warned that incorrect information has previously resulted in learners being placed at schools that were not among their parents' preferred choices and has delayed the admissions process.
He said parents who provide the required documents and accurate information stand the best chance of securing placement at their preferred schools.
The department has not indicated whether the application period will be extended beyond the 4 September closing date.