The DBE is impressed by the progress registered by Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) in terms of accelerating learner admissions for the 2026 school calendar.
According to Mr Thomas Baloyi, Deputy Chief Education Specialist in the Education Management and Governance Development Directorate, the 2026 cycle of learner admission applications is in full swing across all nine provinces. “PEDs continue to advocate for the successful administration of learner admissions for 2026 using social media platforms, Blitz in various malls across the country, posters along major roads and ordinary circulars in eight provinces, except in the Gauteng Province. The Western Cape Province issued their circular on learner admission processes in November 2024 for the 2026 admission cycle. This province usually releases circulars early since their application period starts during March ending in April for the first tranche of annual applications.”
He explained that late applications are currently open: “The application process for the Northern Cape Province opens in April, closing in May for the following year. This allows the two provinces more time to deal with planning matters around the number of applications received. The other seven provinces follow on various dates. The differences are attributed to provincial dynamics since provincial processes vary; however, all are encouraged to start with their learner admissions application processes earlier in the year for the following year”.
Parents who happen to be in other provinces during the application period but relocate to a different province due to socio-economic circumstances are afforded an opportunity to apply to a school with available space closer to their new homes. Unfortunately, the comfort of a school of choice is no longer available at a stage when the parents apply late. Late applicants are offered at the first school that becomes available, preferably closer to their homes.
“Provinces started with regular updates to the Department on statistics of placed and the still-to-be placed number of learners. By 30 September 2025, just under 2 million (1,989,464) new applications for Grades R, 1 and 8 learners were received across the sector. Almost 1,578,115 learners have already been placed, and the provinces were still working on the remainder of learners to be placed. Gauteng started with their placement process for Grades 1 and 8 on 16 October 2025. Provinces are expected to continue sharing placement statistics towards the end of October into early December, and every week after reopening in January 2026. The Department expects more learner application requests based on Statistics South Africa’s information that there is a migration pattern of middle-aged people who move from various rural areas to Gauteng and the Western Cape. This negatively influences planning by provinces as the absolute number of learners to be expected in the new year cannot be confirmed,” Mr Baloyi concluded.