Grade 8 Applications

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) online application system, or Grade 8 Applications 2025, is now open to all learners wanting admission for Grade 8 by next year. Parents can now apply to secure space for their child’s admission from Thursday, 11 July, at 8h00 and will close on Monday, 12 August 2024, at midnight.

Transitioning to Grade 8 is an exciting milestone, especially as students step into high school. In this article, I’ll walk you through the straightforward process of securing admission for your scholar. Keep in mind that the enhanced GDE online system now requires parents to apply for their child’s admission, even if the school combines both Primary and High school.

How to: Grade 8 Applications

1. If your child is currently in Grade R and will be moving to Grade 1 next year, you must still apply through the GDE online system, even if both grades are at the same school your child is currently in.
2. If your child is currently in a combined school Grade 7 and will be moving to Grade 8 next year within the same combined school, you must still apply through the GDE online system, even if both grades are at the same school your child is currently in.
3. SMS will be your hero, use a phone number that is reliable, accessible and reachable.
4. To increase your chance of placement, choose up to 5 schools within your feeder zone.
5. Only ONE application is enough, multiple applications by same profile on behalf of ONE learner might not go through, if so: the application will be regarded as spam.
6. Some schools might go further to verify residential addresses on top of submitted proof of residential documents uploaded.
7. All documents required must be uploaded within 7 days, if not, the system will prioritise application in good standing, while sifting your application down to the bottom.

Simple Instructions for an effective GDE Admissions

All public schools under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) are to be registered for, using GDE Admission website.

For those who prefer to physically register their learners or apply in person, we have compiled a list of GDE Admission Walk-in Centres. Parents and guardians can visit these centres to receive safe assistance in applying for their children if they are unable to do so from their home, office or on-line.

Total time 10 minutes

1. Visit GDE website

Go to the GDE website and click on the “Login” link at the top-right of the page.

2. Create account

If you are a first-time user, you will need to create an account by providing your name, email address, and password. If you already have an account, simply log in.

3. Select Grade

Choose the grade level for the learner you are registering. Keep in mind that you need to select the grade corresponding to the learner’s anticipated level for the upcoming academic year. Only parents applying for Grade 1 and 8 learners may apply to a maximum of 5 schools per child.

4. Provide personal and educational information

Please complete the necessary fields with personal and educational information about the learner, including their name, age, gender, and contact details.

5. Select a school

Select your preferred school as your first option, then you can choose up to four schools in order of preference to make a total of 5 selection.

6. Upload supporting documents

You will need to upload supporting documents such as:
​i. Parents/ legal guardian Identity Document
ii. Proof of home/ work address
iii. Child birth certificate
iv. Clinic card for Grade 1 applications
v. Current school academic report card for Grade 8 applications​

Other medical informations like allergies, medication times and other, will have to be given to the school after a successful admission.

7. Click Submit

Once you have completed all the required fields and uploaded the necessary documents, submit your application by clicking “submit” button. We advice that all your documents be in PDF format.

8. Check Application Status

You can check the status of your application on the GDE online admissions website. The GDE will notify you via email or SMS if your application is successful or if further documentation is required.

9. Accept Placement

If your application is successful and your child is allocated a place at a school, you will need to accept the placement within the given timeframe.

10. Appeal the decision (if necessary)

If your child is not allocated a place at your preferred school or any of your preferences, you can appeal the decision by following the instructions on the GDE online admissions website.

Overall, the GDE online registration system is an important tool that helps to ensure a fair and transparent admissions process for learners in public schools in Gauteng, South Africa.

GDE Admissions FAQ