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The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that the commencement of the Online Admissions Learner Placement Period for Grade One and Eight for the academic year 2020 started on September 18 and will close on October 31.
The Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said it must be noted that the placement of applicant learners is a process and the same will be done progressively by communicating with parents accordingly.
“Offers of placement will not be sent to all parents on the same day, as the department will be processing offers systematically in line with the order of application options outlined in the Admissions Regulations.
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“Parents of learners who have submitted required documents are therefore reminded to expect offers of placement via SMS from September 18 to October 31,” he said.
Mabona added that the WA1 to WA4 numbers issued during the application period will not be used as the basis to determine placement.
The first offers of placement will be released to applicants who qualify for placement in terms of the Admissions Regulations, according to the following categories:
• The applicant learner’s place of residence is closest to the school within the feeder zone;
• The applicant learner has a sibling attending the school or the previous school is closest to the school in the feeder zone;
• The place of employment of at least one of the applicant learner’s parents is within the feeder zone of the school.
Placement offers must be accepted within seven school days; therefore, the first offers received must be accepted by October 8.
The department notes that schools will be closed from September 20 to October 1, but school holidays are not counted as part of the seven school days.
Parents are welcome to visit districts or head offices to accept offers during the September 2019 school holidays.
They may also accept offers online by logging on to www.gdeadmissions.gov.za or by visiting the nearest school on school days.
MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi said: “We wish to call upon parents to remain calm if offers of placement are not received immediately after the commencement of the placement period.
“It is paramount to note that the capacity of each school will determine the number of applicants that receive placement offers and the number of learners ultimately admitted to the school.”