With the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirming that online admissions for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for 2026 have opened, support is available for parents who might be intimidated by the online process.
Tieho Mokoena, principal at SPARK Turffontein, offers some suggestions and tips to guide parents and guardians through the process.
“You cannot delay your application until the end of the year to secure a spot for your child in the school of your choice. Gauteng has hundreds of thousands of parents applying for schools, especially for Grade 1. The application process might feel daunting, but if parents and guardians do a little homework and preparation, the process should go much smoother,” she says.
Mokoena shares the following application tips and suggestions:
- Visit the school website: Set some time aside to go through the application process of the school of your choice to understand what you will need to ensure your application is successful. Look at the documents required and ensure you have them all. If you need clarification on the documents, call the school’s enrolment team to assist you with the list of documents. Most schools require the following documents: birth certificate of the child; proof of residence of the parent; immunisation card (Grade 1); latest report card; and parent or guardian’s ID.
- Pay attention to the details: Check the details before proceeding with the application; for example, ensure that you choose the correct grade and add the proper age on the application. It’s well worth it to read the form carefully and then double-check when you are done.
- Don’t assume anything: Submit the required documents and make payment to ensure that the space is secured. Also, having a sibling at the school does not ensure automatic enrolment for a younger child. You still have to apply for a position; do not delay the application, or you might have to find a new school for the younger sibling.
- Follow up: Once you’ve applied, call the school or their enrolment office to check on progress. Checking your application is essential to know if anything is missing or if there are any issues that might delay your application.
- Visit the school: Whether your application is complete or not, visit the school. This is a great way to learn about the school values and the environment your child will learn from. You can also ensure that the school fits your child correctly.
“The application process might seem intimidating. However, it doesn’t need to be. With these easy steps, your child will be enrolled in no time,” says Mokoena. “And for parents who are still deciding where to enrol their child, applying to a private school network offering high-quality education at a more accessible price may be a valuable option.”
