The online admissions application process for the 2022 academic year will follow a phased approach, kicking off on 10 August with applications for the eighth grade.
This is an attempt tomake the process “easier and more manageable” for parents, guardians and public schools in the province, says the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).
In the past, the GDE, which has been running its online admissions system since 2016, would simultaneously call for online applications for grades one and eight, opening up the system to applications for both grades.
However, on Sunday, the department said phase one of the online admissions process will cater to learners applying for grade eight – those currently in grade seven in public primary schools.
Phase two of the application process will focus on learners entering grade one, as well as those learners applying for grade eight but who are not in grade seven in public primary schools.
In terms of the timeframe, the first phase will open on Tuesday, 10 August, at 8am, and close at midnight on 3 September. The second phase will commence on Monday, 13 September, at 8am, and close on 8 October at midnight.
The placement of phase one will take place between 15 October and 30 November, while phase two will be between 15 and 30 November, according to the GDE.
“To ensure the high demand for placement is managed more efficiently, one of the most important changes made was to prioritise the application of grade seven learners that are currently in public ordinary schools.
“To ensure access to applicants who are unable to apply from the comfort of their homes and/or offices, the department has identified 47 decentralised walk-in centres in different areas where applicants will be safely assisted. In addition, some district offices and the head office will serve as walk-in centres. This information will be made available to the public via the GDE website and social media platforms.”
Uphill battle
Initiated to prevent long queues and encourage a tech-savvy school registration process, the GDE’s online admissions application system has encountered numerous challenges over the years.
These range from the system's inability to handle multiple users at a time, the department failing to communicate on time with parents on the status of their children's applications, as well as the ongoing challenge to find schools for unplaced learners at the start of every academic year.
It has also been reported that the system has been prone to manipulation by some officials in schools and district offices.
“This [the phased approach] will significantly reduce the pressure when the system [goes] live,” states the GDE. “Schools that reach capacity in phase one will not be opened for applications in phase two.”
The department also urges parents or guardians to exercise caution and protect their personal information when using internet cafés.
Step-by-step guide
According to the GDE, before parents or guardians apply, they must provide accurate parent and learner details to schools where their children are currently in grade seven.
It also notes that from today, 2 August, until 6 August, primary schools will verify and update parents’ or guardians’ details, including the cellphone number, identity document number and home address.
“It is important that parents provide one reliable cellphone number so they can receive important SMS notifications regarding the application process. This process is very important because from 10 August 2021, an SMS notification with a link will be sent to parents to complete the five-step application process.
“The parent or guardian will be required to verify the cellphone number on the system before starting the five-step application process, which consists of verification of parent or guardian details, home address details, learner details, application to a maximum of five schools and uploading documents to system or submitting documents at schools.”
In terms of phase two, the department points out that parents or guardians will also complete the five-step application process without prior verification of details.
Parents will also need to upload or submit certified copies of supporting documents to schools they applied to within seven days.
“The documents required for grade one and eight applications are parents’ ID or passport, refugee permit, asylum-seeker permit, permanent residence permit, study permit, South African birth certificate for the child, proof of home address, proof of work address, latest school report and clinic card or vaccination report for grade one only.
“If a parent uses a cellphone number that differs from the one provided to the school, the system will prompt the parent to contact the school to correct the number.
“Every step of the application process will be confirmed via SMS for security and verification purposes, and parents who apply to schools of specialisation must ensure they contact the school to arrange for the auditions or admission tests.”
Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng MEC for education, explains: “When a parent or guardian applies to a school for their child, it is critical to remember that the following criteria is considered in order of priority of the following: home address within the school’s feeder zone, sibling and/or previous schools, work address within the school’s feeder zone and home address which is within 30km radius.
“Parents will receive SMSes notifying them about the outcome of their application between 15 October and 30 November 2021. The parent must accept an offer to confirm placement.”
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