• As Gauteng extends its online school placements, some parents are struggling with changes to the system.
• Applications were extended to 30th January 2025 after initially closing on 12th August 2024.
• Schools are set to begin classes again next week on 15th January 2025.

As the extended 30th January deadline for online school placements for grade 1 and 8 learners in Gauteng approaches, parents in the province say that they are struggling with the system made by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).

The department launched the 2025 version of the system last year in July. Similar to the system in the Western Cape, the online portal allows parents and guardians to register their grade 1 and grade 8 learners and select schools which they would like for them to go.

Initially, applications would close on 12th August 2024, but the GDE extended the deadline for late applications from 11th December 2024 to 30th January 2025.

However, the second application window will be different to the first for late applicants. GDE says that now “only schools with space will appear on the system, schools will be removed as they reach capacity.”

Parents will get a chance to select only one school and says, “Placement to the selected school is automatic and final.”

Parents attempting to access the system for late applications say they have been struggling with the changes.

“Something’s wrong with the website. We can’t select schools and it doesn’t log you in with the correct credentials too,” said one user on X.

“This online thing must just stop cause you are given a school you never even selected or know where it is,” said another.

“I’m feeling so anxious right now because I have to go to the district after the system declined all the schools I applied to.”

They added that they still cannot buy school clothes or stationery because their child has yet to be placed. Public schools in South Africa are expected to begin next week, 15th January 2025.

[Image – Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash]