Online school applications to open on 13 May

Gauteng parents and guardians take note – online applications for learners going to Grade One or Grade Eight in 2020 will open at 8am on 13 May and close on midnight on July 15 2019.

Parents can expect an easier application system, thanks to amendments to the newly introduced admissions regulations.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said that the amendments seek to ensure equitable access to all learners regardless of class, race or language.

“The regulations also define new feeder zones that aim to overcome the apartheid geography,” he said.

When applying online, parents have the choice to submit five applications, based on the following criteria: home address in feeder zone, a sibling at desired schools, work address of either parents in feeder zone, preferred school within a 30km radius of home, and beyond a 30km radius of home.

“Parents seek the best school for their children and given our past, the perception is that former Model C schools are synonymous with quality and township/rural schools are of poor quality.”

To challenge this belief and raise awareness of the strides made to improve township schools, the Gauteng Department of Education will rank schools by performance to provide parents with objective information.

Once the online application has been done, the applicant will receive an SMS notification with a reference number. For this reason, applicants are urged to use their own cellphone number or email address. All communication with the parent regarding usernames, passwords, waiting lists, etc will be done through via the supplied cellphone number or email address.

Log-in details and reference numbers must be stored in a safe place.

Forms needed

Applicants should submit the following documents to the school within seven working days:

• Certified copy of the ID of the parent/legal guardian or a sworn affidavit if the parent/legal guardian does not have an ID.
• Non-South African citizens should submit certified copy of their passport, valid visa or temporary/permanent residence permit/ asylum seeker or refugee permit.
• Proof of home address.
• Certified copy of child’s birth certificate.
• Non-South African citizens should submit a study permit/visa or child’s asylum/refugee permit.
• Clinic immunisation card if applying for Grade One.
• Current school academic report and transfer if applying for Grade Eight.
• Proof of sibling relationship where sibling option is used to access a particular school.

If the required documents are not available, the school will provisionally accept the learner and the applicant will have two weeks to submit proof that they have applied for the documentation.

The placement of learners will take place from 27 August to 20 September 2019.

Important information:

• Visit this website to apply online www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.
• Frequently asked questions and other information is also available on the website.
• Applications must also be made for children in Grade R who hope to do Grade One in the same school.
• Remember, first-come, first-served.
• Parents or guardians who cannot access the internet in their households can visit their nearest public school, district admissions centres, community libraries or community centres for admissions.
• For help, call the toll-free number 0800 000 789.