Grade 1, 8 learners could be placed at nearby schools if parental choice is not granted: Gauteng Education - EWN

Grade 1 and 8 learners who cannot be accommodated at any of the schools their parents applied to could be placed at the next closest school with available space.

The Gauteng Department of Education said this will only happen once all the schools selected in the application have been found to be full.

More than 346,000 individual learners applied for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placement for the 2027 school year.

The figure was revealed by Education MEC Lebogang Maile, who briefed the media in Johannesburg on Sunday on the 2027 online admissions process.

Parents will have an opportunity to challenge a transfer placement, with a formal objection and appeal process provided for.

Maile said the system has to balance parental preferences with the limited number of places at popular schools.

“We understand that parents develop strong preferences for particular schools, and those aspirations must be respected. At the same time, public education must be administered fairly and rationally. Our responsibility is to every child who requires a place in a Gauteng public school.”