JOHANNESBURG - Parents and guardians of Grade 1 and Grade 8 pupils who have not been placed at their desired school due to capacity will be issued transfer offers to alternative schools.
They will then have seven days to accept or decline the offer.
This is according to Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile, who gave an update on placement for the 2027 academic year, scholar transport as well as school funding.
Maile said the issuing of transfer offers began on 13 November and forms part of the admission process.
To date, more than 77,000 applicants are yet to be placed, with Grade 8 pupils making up the largest share.
READ | Over 77,000 pupils in Gauteng remain unplaced
The department says it has identified more than 139,000 available spaces, but acknowledges that these are not necessarily in the schools or communities where demand is highest.
“We understand that receiving an offer from a school other than a preferred institution may not be preferable. However, it is important to recognise that the Department must balance individual preferences with the available capacity of schools and the obligation to provide access to education across the province,” he said.
Parents and guardians who want to challenge placement outcomes will also be given an opportunity to raise objections and appeals through an established process.
An objection may be lodged within the prescribed seven-day period, with the Department required to consider and determine it within the applicable 14-day period.