It’s official! All systems go for school registration in 2020

Parents can now apply online for the 2020 academic year, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed.

“The GDE is pleased to inform parents that the admissions online applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 opened on Monday, 20 May. Applications will close on Monday, 22 July 2019,” said Steve Mabona, GDE spokesperson.

“Following the postponement of the opening of the online admissions applications from 13 May 2019 to 20 May 2019 as requested by school governing body (SGB) associations and interested parties, we made a concerted effort to address and resolve concerns raised,” Steve said.

He added it must be noted that the online admissions application system has always been aligned to the Amended Admissions and Feeder Zone Regulations as published.

“However, in the true spirit of inclusivity, consultation and good cooperative governance, a meeting was convened with FEDSAS where the functionality of the System was demonstrated, where open and transparent engagement transpired. Further, the Department took a decision to avail the system for testing by stakeholders and interested parties to allay fears.”

Steve said it is important for parents to note the following points:

“Admissions is a 3-phase process, namely …”

• Phase 1: Registration and application commencing on 20 May 2019 at 8am and ending on 22 July 2019 at midnight

During this Phase, parents can apply to a maximum of five schools using any of the five application options outlined in the Amendments to the Admissions Regulations. After making an application, parents must submit required documents to the schools applied to within seven school days. Parents must sign the submission register at the school and request a receipt acknowledging submission of documents. This will serve as important evidence to follow-up on placement.

• Phase 2: Placement of learners, commencing on 31 August 2019 and ending on 30 September 2019

Parents will receive offers of placement from schools based on Admissions Criteria and availability of space and resources. Offers must be accepted with seven working days. Failure to accept offers will result in the Department placing the learners in schools within the feeder zones that cover the parent’s home address.

• Phase 3: Admission to a school

Admission to a school will only occur after the offer of placement is accepted and confirmed. Once offers are accepted and confirmed, schools will provide further communication.

Steve said, “Feeder Zone is an area from which a school accepts its core intake. This is defined by a feeder zone map of a school.”

Based on the Admissions Criteria in the Amended Admissions Regulations Application Options are ranked in the following order of priority:

1. Home Address application option allows applicants to apply to schools within feeder zones that cover the parent’s home address. The learner will be placed at the school closest to the parent’s home address within the feeder zone. (Reference Number WA1)

2. Sibling application option allows applicants to apply to a school where the applicant learner’s sibling is currently in Grade 1 to Grade 6 or Grade 8 to Grade 11. The System allows for the sibling application as defined in the Amended Admissions Regulations to remove cultural bias, accommodate diversity and ensure a fair opportunity for all learners. (Reference Number WA2).

3. Work address application option allows the applicant to apply to schools with feeder zones that cover the parent’s work address. (Reference Number WA3)

4. School within 30-kilometre radius. Parents can apply to schools within 30 km radius of their home address. (Reference Number WA4)

5. School beyond 30-kilometre radius. Parents can apply to schools beyond 30 km radius of their home address. (Reference Number WB)

6. School of Focus Learning. Parents may apply to any School of Focus Learning offering a specialised curriculum of their choice. Placement is informed by the outcome of Admissions Test (Reference Number WA5)

For queries, parents are advised to contact the GDE at the following telephone or email address:

• Call Centre on 011 355 0000;

• Toll free number 0800 000 789; or

• Email: Gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za.