The website was initially scheduled to go live on April 11, but could not handle the mass of applications and had to be shut down due to technical difficulties.
In a statement released by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the website was then scheduled to go live on April 13, but this was again extended, to April 19 at 8am.
At 2.30pm the website finally went live, with no issues reported thus far.
Lesufi once again encouraged parents to register for compulsory online applications for Grade Ones and Eights.
“We would once more like to take this opportunity to humble ourselves and apologise to the people of Gauteng and South Africans at large for the slight delay in our Online Learner Application website,” said Lesufi.
“The delay was caused by technical difficulties with GPS coordinates that were generating wrong school data and this would have meant that people in informal settlements could not locate their schools.”
He added that the system had to be shut down, reprogrammed and tested as it could not incorporate and reconcile GPS coordinates.
“The process took longer than anticipated, hence the delay in going online.”
Parents living in informal settlements can now choose the school, rather than the system picking it up automatically based on GPS coordinates.
He reported that when the website went live at 2.30pm, in the first second of going live, the system saw more than 18 000 log-ins.
Within the first 10 minutes, the system had successfully processed over 5 000 applicants.
“We currently anticipate the system to handle a large quantity of traffic as capacity has been increased to 20 000 log-ins per second,” Lesufi said.
“There have been 13 attempts to hack the system, which were successfully foiled, but is a matter of serious concern to the department.”
He reminded parents and guardians that the application period is open until June 1.
The placement of learners will commence from June 4 until July 25.
During this period, schools will process learner placement online.
Parents will receive an automated SMS indicating the offer of placement.
Letters will also be sent to parents informing them of successful and unsuccessful applications.
Parents will be given a period of seven days to accept or reject placement offers.
Parents who experience challenges in applying online can contact the call centre on 011 355 000 or the toll-free number, 0800 000 789.
Those who do not have access to the internet have options of going to schools to be assisted by technicians to register and apply online.
In addition they can get assistance:
- at the help desks at the department’s district offices,
- at GDE teacher centres,
- at Thusong Service Centres and community libraries,
- by connecting through free Wi-Fi hot spots.
“We would like to thank parents and guardians for their patience and understanding during our times of difficulties with the system.
“We are indeed humbled by their support and that of various structures of society,” Lesufi said.
