Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has announced that online applications for grade 1 and grade 8 placements at state schools for the 2026 academic year will open on July 24 and close at midnight on August 29.
He warned parents and guardians to apply on time, saying no applications will be accepted after the closing date.
Chiloane said the online application system is only available for grades 1 and 8 and that parents must apply at their nearest schools for other grades.
He stressed that parents of pupils in grade R must still apply for grade 1, even if their children stay at the school as there is no automatic placement.
Chiloane urged parents to enter accurate personal and contact details and reminded them that each child requires a separate application. He added that parents who have applied in previous years must create new credentials for each application cycle and once the application process starts, it must be completed within seven days.