GDE finalises learner placement for 2022

Ahead of the reopening of schools, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) announced that a total of 276 564 Grade One and Eight online admissions applicants have been successfully placed.

The department said officials are implementing means of providing necessary support to schools to ensure that the 1 465 applicants who remain unplaced are accommodated in due course.

Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said to deal with the pressure of placement in high-pressure districts, GDE is investing in more classrooms.

“We have transferred over R240-million to schools for the construction of classrooms. These funds will enable the construction of 229 classrooms in identified primary schools and 270 classrooms in identified high schools,” said Mabona.

Mabona added that it is important to note that the department has also identified more than 17 000 applicants who did not submit all the necessary supporting documents to their applied school(s) or upload it on the system during the allocated time.

These are deemed unsuccessful applications.

However, the system is currently open for them to upload and choose available schools.

As such, parents and guardians are reminded that applications that met all the admissions criteria would have submitted or uploaded the following documentation successfully:

Documents required for Grade Eight applications:
• Parent and child ID or passport
• Refugee permit
• Asylum seeker permit
• Permanent residence permit
• Study permit
• Your South African birth certificate
• Proof of home address
• Proof of work address
• Latest school report

Documents required for Grade One applications:
• Parent and child ID or passport
• Refugee permit
• Asylum seeker permit
• Permanent residence permit
• Study permit
• South African birth certificate
• Proof of home address
• Proof of work address
• Latest school report
• Clinic card/vaccination report

Meanwhile, the department has also prioritised the finalisation of 866 appeals received since the placement period commenced last year.

“These appeals are the result of applicants who could not be placed at their desired school and objected placement at an alternative school provided.

“Outcomes will be communicated to all applicants by January 10. The late registration process will commence on January 12.

“Parents and guardians are called upon to log in on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za to apply. Only schools with capacity will be availed on the system,” said Mabona.

Parents and guardians wishing to receive assistance from the department may either contact our call centre on 0800 000 789 or send an email to gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za or a direct message on the department’s respective social media platforms.

According to Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, the department takes very seriously its constitutional mandate of ensuring that every child is placed in a school.

“We would like to plead with parents to remain patient as our officials have been working around clock to ensure that all learners are placed at a school as soon as is possible. We further commit to continue working with all stakeholders to improve the quality of education in all our schools,” said Lesufi.

Furthermore, parents and guardians may also contact their respective GDE District Office for assistance using the following contact details:
• Ekurhuleni North
Director Nonceba Ntuta: 071 579-3049
• Ekurhuleni South
Director Busi Luthuli: 083 450 0152
• Johannesburg East
Director Shirley Molobi: 083 389 2868
• Johannesburg North
Director Vuyi Cindi: 076 381 7100
• Johannesburg West
Director Vincent Ndhlovu: 071 559 5831
• Gauteng East
Director Somikazi Chabalala: 071 561 3569
• Gauteng North
Director Zukile Kosi: 060 995 3736
• Gauteng West
Director Oupa Koapeng: 072 693 2678
• Tshwane North
Director Thea Coetser: 083 564 5146
• Tshwane South
Director Paula Galego: 060 980 6971
• Tshwane West
Director Yvonne Mooke: 071 579 1381
• Sedibeng East
Director Pheello Meetsing: 066 487 2708
• Sedibeng West
Director Themba Maseko: 082 562 5673

Also Read: Gauteng schools to increase classroom capacity – GDE

Also Read: GDE placement period extended to December 10