“We’re starting admissions early to ensure that it’s all systems go in January,” says education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.
The GDE calls on parents to first register and verify their details and then to apply for space for Grade One and Eight learners for the 2017 academic year.
The applications for Grade One and Eight officially starts on April 13 and will end on September 7.
First time Grade One and Eight applicants, including those relocating from other areas, are encouraged to register their details online by visiting www.gdeadmissions.gov.za
Parents who do not have internet access can visit the help desks in their districts for assistance.
The help desks’ contact numbers are:
Springs
- Laerskool Welgedacht – 074 276 0910 or 082 554 4517
- Vukucinge Primary (Slovo Park) School – 082 556 7442
KwaThema
- KwaThema Primary School – 084 474 1631
- Laban Motlabi Secondary School – 011 736 401 or 082 556 4376
- Umsobomvu Primary School – 011 736 9924 or 082 556 7363
Tsakane
- Mamellong Secondary School – 011 738 4504 or 082 556 772
Duduza
- Tandi Eleanor Sibeko Secondary School – 082 566 7470
Etwatwa
- W.J. Mpengesi Primary School – 011 962 2713 or 082 556 6798
- B.B. Myataza Secondary School – 011 964 6904 or 082 554 1430
The process will proceed in phases:
- Phase one: Registration and verification of details.
Parents are urged to register or verify their details and learner details.
First-time users will be required to click the ‘Register’ button to register parent information before applying for admission.
Parents who registered in 2015 and those who have learners in schools currently must verify information by clicking the ‘Verification’ tab.
The verification process will require parents to enter their ID or passport number.
Phase two: Application.
The application period commences on April 19 at 8am and will close at midnight on June 1.
Application criteria include:
- A school close to residential or work address.
- A sibling attends the same school (not applicable if the learner is in Grade Seven or 12).
- School of choice.
The following documents are required to complete the verification/registration and application process:
- ID copy of the parent
- Birth certificate of learner
- Passport and study permit obtained from Home Affairs
- Proof of address for home or work.
An automated SMS will be sent to the parent’s cellphone number to confirm the submission of the online application.
Once SMS confirmation has been received it is important to submit all the required documents needed to the schools within two weeks.
- Phase three: Placement.
The placement of learners will commence from June 24 until September 7.
For learners who are currently in Grade Two to Six in primary schools and Grade Eight to 11 in secondary schools, applications are being processed by schools from April 13 to 18.
Parents who are relocating and would like to apply for the in-between grades (Grade Two to Seven and Grade Eight to 11) must consult with the school to verify availability of spaces.
Spaces will be confirmed pending the current learner enrollment, learner retention in each grade and in line with the capacity of the school.
The online application cannot be used to apply for Grade R and schools for learners with special educational needs.
The GDE has opted for an online application process because it is convenient, easy to access and enables planning and fair distribution of learners across the Gauteng education system.
Starting the admission process early is crucial to ensure the allocation of resources, such as learning and teaching materials, furniture, human resources and infrastructure.
In addition this enables teaching and learning to commence on the first day of school in 2017.
Equally important is for schools to have sufficient time to prepare timetables, recruit teachers and where necessary arrange nutrition and scholar transport.
“We urge all governing bodies to work with us to ensure the admission process runs smoothly and all learners who start primary or secondary school in 2017 are able to access quality basic public education,” says Lesufi.
The GDE can be reached as follows:
Gauteng Department of Education: 111 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, 2001.
Postal address: P.O.Box 7710, Johannesburg, 2000
Switchboard: 011 355 0000
Call centre: 011 355 0966/0559/0198/0600
Toll free number: 0800 000 789
Email: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za
