​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Department of Education has announced that the 2023 academic year online admissions for Grades 1 and 8 opens on 22 July. The cycle will run until 19 August 2022. 
The department has reviewed the online system, as well as the previous two-phase approach, to follow a single application process, allowing all applicants to apply at the same time during the application period. 
"We believe this overall simplified applications process will satisfy everyone. As part of the system enhancement process, applicants will be afforded the opportunity to make informed choices regarding languages offered when applying to a school," said MEC Panyaza Lesufi.
Parents and guardians can apply visit the department's website to apply on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za. Applicants will receive SMS notifications of placement offers to either accept or decline from 3 – 31 October 2022.
MEC Lesufi has urged parents and guardians seeking space at a school in Gauteng for the academic year 2023 to keep in mind the announced dates.
"Accordingly, we must reiterate that capacity remains our challenge in Gauteng, and a factor that applicants must always bear in mind when applying.
"Officials incorporated inputs from our stakeholders on how to improve the system. Indeed, we are hopeful that these implemented enhancements will be helpful to all applicants," said MEC Lesufi.
There will be no automatic admission into Grade 1 for Grade R learners, even if they apply to the schools where they are enrolled, warned the MEC.
This means that, all learners that are five years old turning six-years-old by 30 June 2023 and are currently enrolled in Grade R in a school or ECD centre, as well as learners that are not in any type of school, must apply for admission at a minimum of three and a maximum of five schools. 
"Parents and guardians will be given up until 26 August 2022, seven days after the application period ends to upload or submit their documents.
"However, documents that are uploaded or submitted after the application period closing date will be considered incomplete applications and will only receive placement at available schools from 1 – 15 December 2022," he said. 
Schools of Specialisation will admit learners based on an aptitude or talent from 20 May – 20 June 2022. To complete the process, parents are urged to accompany their children to these tests and trials.
"Admission tests, written assessments, trials and auditions will also be conducted by Schools of Specialisation for applicants from 20 May – 26 August 2022. The outcome of these tests and trials will be communicated to applicants from 20 June 2022 – 9 September 2022," said Lesufi. 
Those applying in boarding schools in Gauteng must apply directly at identified schools from 1 June – 19 August 2022.