Online admissions have officially started
Parents urged to apply timeously to ensure placement
The online admission process for Grades 1 and 8 for 2018 officially opened today, 2 May.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), applications will be accepted from 2 May from 8am and close on 12 June at midnight. All parents are encouraged to apply online, as no admissions will be processed in schools, except for relocating parents and in Grades 2 to 6 and 9 to 11. “No admissions will be processed in January 2019,” said Panyaza Lesufi, the Member of the Electoral Committee for Education.
Read more: Grade 1’s mother shown the door
Parents were also advised that, if they submitted any applications before the admissions period started, their applications were invalid. “These parents should note that they should log on again at 8am on 2 May, and resubmit,” Lesufi said.
To apply for either Grade 1 or 8, parents should log on to the GDE website (www.gdeadmissions.gov.za). The website also has a video tutorial, a step-by-step picture guide and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) available on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za or www.education.gpg.gov.za for immediate guidance and reference.
Lesufi assured parents that the Department had listened to all suggestions made during the previous year’s process, and made some significant changes:
• The application process will now only consist of a three-step once-off process.
• The website is now interactive and easy to use.
• Parents now have more language options, and can select the one they wish to apply in.
• If an address cannot be located on the system because the child resides in an informal settlement, school options will still be provided based on the nearest home or work address.
• To cope with the heavy traffic, the system’s capacity has been improved.
After submitting their application, parents will receive a waiting list number via SMS or email, and will be required to submit supporting documents to the relevant school. These documents include an identity document or passport, an immunisation card, the most recent school reports, proof of work or residential address of the parent, a birth certificate and confirmation of legal guardianship. The placement phase will run from 24 July to 29 September.
The online admission process is only for Grades 1 and 8, not for the other grades. Applications to schools accommodating Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) will also not be processed online, and parents should do these applications at the school.
Lesufi concluded by saying, “The promise we make to the people of Gauteng is that we will work tirelessly to ensure a smooth application process. This includes finalisation of placements for parents that applied on time.”
These are some important contact details to remember:
• Call centre number – 0800 000 789
• Email address – gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za
• Social media – Twitter and Instagram (@EducationGP) and on Facebook (Gauteng Department of Education).
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
