Online school application process made easier
The MEC of Basic Education, Panyaza Lesufi, has requested parents of learners in Gauteng to apply online for grades one and eight for the 2018 academic year.
The applications will start on May 2, at 8am, and close at midnight on June 12.
Lesufi says parents can log onto www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.
To apply for in-between grades (grades two to six and grades nine to 11) parents must go to the nearest school.
“We have made changes to the online application process and system stemming from the challenges we faced in previous years.
“The application process will be a three-step, once-off process.
“We have eliminated the two-stage process of registering a profile and then later doing the application.
“We have introduced an interactive and easy to use the website and parents can select a preferred language in which to apply.
• Read: Compulsory online learner admissions
“If the system cannot locate the address, such as those in informal settlements, it will still provide school options based on the address nearest to the home or workplace.
“The capacity of the system has been improved to cope with the traffic,” says Lesufi.
After submitting the online application form, parents will receive a waiting list number via SMS or email.
“They will be required to submit all their supporting documents to the relevant school and these ID/passport, immunisation card, most recent school reports, proof of work or home address, birth certificate and legal guardianship documents,” he says.
Admission centres (at least 65) will be established across Gauteng to assist parents that do not have access to the internet.
“Officials will be deployed to capture the applications for such parents at these centres.
“Parents can go to the community libraries or Thusanong service centres to use computers that have internet access.
“The placement phase will run from July 24 to September 29.
• Also read: Online applications for Grade One, Eight opens
“Parents will receive SMS notifications or a letter from the school informing them that their application has been successful or not.
“Those given offers of placement have seven working days to accept or reject the offer,” Lesufi says.
He adds applications to schools accommodating Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) will not be processed online.
“Parents are advised to visit the nearest district to apply for a child with special education needs,” he says.
