The 2026 GDE Online Admission application period for Grade 1 and Grade 8 in Gauteng will officially open this week on Thursday, 24 July 2025, and will close on Friday, 29 August 2025.
This provides parents and guardians with a dedicated 37-day window to submit their applications and secure their child’s placement at a school within the province.
To apply, visit: https://gdeadmissions.gov.za once applications open.
MEC Chiloane emphasised that while the application period is clearly defined, the GDE is confident that there will be ample time to ensure all eligible learners are placed in a school within the province for the 2026 academic year.
It is important to note that this application period is exclusively for Grades 1 and 8. Applications for Grades R, 2–7, and Grades 9–12 must be done directly at the respective schools. Parents are encouraged to contact their preferred schools directly for information regarding these specific grade applications.
"Parents with children that are currently in Grade R must also apply online for their children to be admitted to Grade 1 for 2026 in line with Admissions Regulations. There is no automatic placement from Grade R to Grade 1. Applications to all other grades must be made directly at your desired school(s) in your immediate area," Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane said at a media briefing.
All parents need to register new profiles, old profiles and previous login details will not work.
How Gauteng School Admissions Work
The Gauteng school admissions process is streamlined through an online platform, making it accessible for parents to apply from anywhere. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:
- Online Application: Parents must complete an online application on the official GDE admissions website (https://gdeadmissions.gov.za).
- Registration and Details: The process begins with registering an account and providing necessary parent or guardian details, including contact information.
- Address and Learner Information: Following registration, parents will need to provide their residential and/or work address details, along with comprehensive information about the learner.
- School Selection: Parents can then select their preferred schools. It is advisable to choose multiple schools to increase the chances of placement, especially in high-demand areas.
- Document Upload: During the regular application period, all required supporting documents must be uploaded digitally through the online system. For any potential late application periods (should they be announced), documents might need to be submitted directly to the school.
Gauteng Online Admissions Application Guide
Required Documents for Gauteng Admissions
To ensure a smooth application process, parents should have the following documents ready for upload:
- Parent/Guardian's ID or passport
- The child’s birth certificate or passport
- Proof of home address (e.g. utility bill, lease agreement)
- Proof of work address (if applicable and used for application criteria)
- Latest Grade 7 school report (for Grade 8 applications only)
- Immunisation report/card (for Grade 1 applications only)
Support and Assistance
The GDE is committed to assisting parents throughout the application period.
In previous years, the department set up a dedicated contact centre to address queries and provide support with Gauteng school applications. It is expected that this will be available for the 2026 GDE admissions period.
