By Karabo Marifi
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has made progress in the 2025 Online Admissions placement process, with a total of 293,057 placement offers issued by 07:00 AM on Thursday. This announcement was made by Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, Matome Chiloane, during a media briefing. Of the total placements, 146,385 offers were made for Grade 1 learners, while 146,672 offers were issued for Grade 8 learners.
As the department continues with the placement process for Grade 1 and 8 learners, parents are reminded to promptly accept or provisionally accept placement offers to secure spots for their children. The online admissions system, which has been developed to streamline the application and placement process, is expected to run smoothly throughout the remainder of the year, with placement offers being sent in batches.
To date, 148,744 offers have been accepted by parents, while 105,193 offers are still awaiting acceptance. The department emphasized the importance of parents regularly checking the status of their applications on the GDE’s Online Admissions website.
How the Placement Process Works
The GDE’s Online Admissions platform has been designed to simplify the placement process for both parents and the department. Parents are required to log in to the GDE Online Admissions website (www.gdeadmissions.gov.za) to accept their placement offers within seven days of receiving them. Failure to accept the offer within the stipulated timeframe could result in the offer being forfeited and made available to other applicants.
Parents are given the option to either fully accept an offer—securing their child’s placement at the assigned school—or provisionally accept while waiting for other offers. Accepting an offer does not prevent parents from receiving additional offers from other schools. If a new offer is accepted, the previous one is automatically cancelled.
According to the GDE, placement offers will be continuously issued throughout the year until all learners are placed. The department encouraged parents who have not yet received an SMS confirming placement not to panic, as placement updates can be checked online via the GDE’s website.
MEC Matome Chiloane Urges Parents to Remain Calm
In his address, MEC Matome Chiloane urged parents to remain calm and patient as the placement process continues. He explained that the department is working diligently to ensure that all learners are placed fairly and that every child has access to quality education.
“We remind parents that the placement process is ongoing and that placement offers are being sent out in batches. We appreciate parents’ patience and cooperation as we work to secure placements for all learners,” Chiloane said.
He further assured parents that even if they do not receive an SMS immediately, they can still check for updates online. In cases where an SMS confirms a learner’s placement at a specific school, no further action is required from the parent.
The department also highlighted that all placements are subject to the availability of space and that offers are made according to the priority placement criteria.
Priority Placement Criteria
The GDE has implemented specific placement criteria to ensure a fair and transparent process for all learners. The criteria are designed to prioritise learners based on their proximity to schools and other relevant factors.
The placement criteria are as follows:
1. Home address within the school’s feeder zone closest to the school.
2. Sibling attendance or previous enrolment at the school.
3. Work address within the school’s feeder zone.
4. Home address within a 30km radius of the school.
5. Home address beyond a 30km radius of the school.These criteria are used to determine the order in which placement offers are made, with learners living closest to the school receiving priority.
Transfer Offers and Capacity Limits
The department acknowledged that some schools may reach capacity and be unable to accommodate all learners. In such cases, parents may receive a transfer offer for the next closest school with available space. Parents can choose to either accept or decline the transfer offer based on their preferences.
Chiloane stressed that the department is committed to placing all learners and ensuring that no child is left without a school. He encouraged parents to remain flexible and open to transfer offers, particularly in areas where demand for certain schools exceeds available capacity.
“If a school reaches capacity, we will offer a transfer to the next closest school. Parents are urged to carefully consider these offers and make informed decisions about their child’s education,” Chiloane said.
Document Verification and Common Concerns
The GDE has also addressed concerns from parents regarding the document verification process. Some parents reported that their application status had changed from “Documents Verified” to “No Documents Submitted,” causing confusion and anxiety.
The department clarified that this change is the result of a rigorous review process during which submitted documents are checked for authenticity, legibility, and completeness. Parents whose applications are flagged as “No Documents Submitted” will still have their cases reviewed during the late registration period, which begins on 11 December 2024.
Chiloane urged parents not to panic if they see this status change and reassured them that all verified documents would be processed in due course.
Handling Objections and Appeals
The GDE has established a formal process for parents who wish to object to their child’s placement or appeal a placement decision. If parents are not satisfied with a placement offer, they can submit an objection using an online form within seven days of receiving the offer.
The department will review the objection and provide an outcome within 14 days. Should parents remain unsatisfied with the outcome, they have the right to submit an appeal to the MEC within seven days. Appeals will be resolved within 14 to 21 days, and the decision made during the appeal process is considered final and binding.
Chiloane emphasized the importance of following the proper channels for objections and appeals and encouraged parents to reach out to the department for support if needed.
Providing Assistance for Parents
In cases where parents require assistance or clarification regarding their child’s application or placement status, the GDE has set up multiple support channels. Parents can contact the GDE’s Contact Centre at 0800 000 789 or use the department’s WhatsApp support line at 060 891 0361.
Additionally, the GDE has 15 District Offices located across Gauteng where parents can receive in-person assistance from officials. These offices are staffed with personnel who are equipped to help parents navigate the admissions process, address concerns, and resolve any issues they may encounter.
“We want to ensure that every parent has access to the support they need throughout the admissions process. Our District Offices are ready to assist, and our contact centre is available to provide guidance,” Chiloane said.
Looking Ahead: Finalising the Placement Process
As the 2025 placement period progresses, the GDE remains committed to ensuring that all learners are placed in schools that are best suited to their needs. The department is working to finalise placements as efficiently as possible, with the goal of completing the process well before the start of the 2025 academic year.
Chiloane thanked parents for their patience and cooperation during this busy period and reiterated the department’s commitment to providing a quality education for all learners.
“We remain committed to placing all learners fairly and ensuring that they have access to quality education. We understand that this is an important time for parents and learners, and we appreciate their cooperation as we work to finalise the placements,” Chiloane concluded.
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