Yesterday (20th May) the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) opened for the first day of online school applications system for prospective Grade 1 and Grade 8 2020 pupils, and received over 250 000 applications by the close of business.
According to IOL News, the system experienced technical delays and challenges in several areas, including issues of addresses as parents opted to select the new 30 kilometre radius for feeder schools instead of their residential addresses.
“We advise people to use Google Chrome for the registration process. Many people who have been using their cellphones did not have problems, hence we ask parents to try that route,” said the Department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona.
Furthermore IOL News says that the technical delays were due to the high number of applications received on the opening day, with less than 70 000 spaces left as the Department had 320 000 spaces before reaching target.
Gauteng MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, added that there could be some more delays with the system due to the high number of applications and urged parents to keep trying until they completed their applications.
“The online admission system was initially meant to go live a week ago and the Department had to delay it following letters by some stakeholders who raised concerns regarding implementation of the newly amended admission regulations and feeder zones on the system. Parents have until midnight on 22nd July to apply and have been urged to apply on time to avoid disappointment,” added Lesufi.
“With the quality of education provided in Gauteng, we anticipate an increase in learners requiring placement. But we will look at what we had last year and look at the possibility of provisionally having an increment that will assist us to plan for the shortage,” concluded Mabona.
Parents are urged by the Department to submit their documentation within seven working days after applying online.
