The 2025 GDE School Placements for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners are officially underway as of 16 October 2025, and parents across Gauteng are starting to receive placement notifications. This can be a stressful time; waiting to see if your child will get a spot at your preferred school, worrying about the 7-day deadline to make a decision , or wondering what to do if the SMS doesn’t arrive right away is completely normal.
If you’ve applied for your child’s 2026 placement, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect at this point, how to respond to placement offers, and what steps to take if your child hasn’t been placed yet. By following these steps, you can stay calm, make sure you don’t miss important deadlines, and help secure a spot for your child at the school you hoped for.
Placement Period
The 2026 GDE School Placements for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners officially began on Thursday, 16 October 2025. Placement is an ongoing process, and the department will continue issuing offers until every learner has been placed.
This means you don’t need to worry if you don’t receive an SMS on the first day. Placement offers will be sent in phases, so parents and guardians can expect messages throughout the placement period.
Receiving and Responding to Your GDE School Placement SMS
Placement offers for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners officially started on 16 October 2025, and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) will continue sending them until all learners have been placed. Offers will sent via SMS to the cellphone number used during your application.
Because the placement process is phased, not all parents will receive an SMS on the first day. Some families may receive their notifications later in the rollout. If you haven’t received an SMS yet, there’s no need to panic this is normal. You can always check your child’s status by logging in to your profile on the GDE Admissions website.
Parents who applied to more than one school may receive multiple offers at different times. It’s important to respond within seven days of receiving each SMS. You can:
- Accept the placement as final — this secures your child’s spot at that school. Once accepted as final, the decision cannot be reversed.
- Accept while awaiting other offers — if you applied to multiple schools, you can keep your options open. If no new offers arrive within seven days, the last accepted offer will automatically become final.
Placement Criteria — How Your Child Is Prioritized
It’s important for parents to know that GDE School Placements are not on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, placement decisions follow specific criteria to ensure fairness and transparency. Here’s how priority is determined:
Home address within the school’s feeder zone
Children living within the school’s designated feeder zone have the highest priority. This ensures that learners in the local community are given preference for nearby schools.Sibling(s) already at the same school or previous school attended
If your child has a brother, sister, or sibling currently enrolled at the school, or has previously attended, this is considered when placing them. Schools aim to keep families together whenever possible.Work address within the school’s feeder zone
If a parent or guardian works within the school’s feeder zone, this can be used as part of the placement criteria, particularly if the home address is slightly outside the zone.Home address within a 30 km radius
Learners who live within 30 km of the school may be considered next, depending on space availability.Home address beyond 30 km radius
Children living farther away are considered only if the school still has capacity after all higher-priority learners are placed.
Important: Placement is always subject to the school’s capacity. Even if a learner meets multiple criteria, placement is only confirmed if there are enough spaces available.
Tip for Parents: Understanding these criteria can help you manage expectations and plan backup options. If your child doesn’t get a spot at your preferred school initially, it may be because learners in higher-priority categories were placed first not because of any mistake or delay.
Beware of Scams: GDE School Placements Are Free
During the placement period, some parents may receive fake SMSs, phone calls, or messages from fraudsters claiming they can secure a school placement often asking for money in exchange.
It’s important to remember:
All GDE School Placements are completely free.
You should never pay anyone to secure a spot for your child.
Only trust official communications from the GDE, either via SMS to your registered number or through the GDE Admissions website.
If you receive a suspicious message or call, do not respond, and report it immediately to the GDE.
By staying alert and following official channels, you can avoid scams and ensure your child’s placement is safe and secure.
Complete vs Incomplete Applications
What If My Child Wasn’t Placed?
If you receive a message that your child could not be placed, it’s important to understand why before taking action.
Possible reasons include:
No available space in your top five schools
Missing required documents
Incorrect address or feeder zone information
Here’s what you can do:
Wait for further communication: The GDE continues placing learners until November.
Submit missing documents as soon as possible if your application was incomplete.
Contact your nearest district office for assistance or to clarify your child’s application status.
Don’t pay anyone claiming they can secure a space; placements are free and done only through official channels.
Appeals and Objections: What They Mean
If you believe the placement outcome was unfair or incorrect, you can lodge an objection online within seven days of receiving your offer.
Objections are reviewed within 14 days.
If you’re still unhappy after the objection, you can appeal to the MEC within another seven days.
Appeals are usually resolved within 14–21 days.
When submitting an objection or appeal, include all relevant details — such as application reference number, reasons for your request, and supporting documents.
Forgot Password or Lost Your Login Details?
If you can’t remember your login details for the GDE Admissions portal, don’t worry — it’s easy to regain access.
Go to the GDE Admissions website and click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. Follow the instructions to reset your password and regain access to your profile.
If you need extra help, you can contact the GDE directly:
Call Centre: 0800 000 789
WhatsApp: 060 891 0361
Important: During the placement period, call volumes are very high. Officials are working hard to assist every parent, so please be patient. Avoid sharing your login details with anyone — your account contains personal information about your child’s placement.
Tip: Once you’ve regained access, check your profile regularly to stay updated on placement offers and any important notifications.
Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Your Contact Details
To make sure you receive all placement notifications for your child, it’s important that your contact information is accurate and up to date. Follow these steps:
1. Log into Your GDE Admissions Account
Go to the GDE Admissions website.
Enter your username and password to access your profile.
2. Navigate to ‘My Profile’
Once logged in, click on the ‘My Profile’ section where your personal and contact details are listed.
3. Select ‘Edit Contact Details’
Choose the option to update your phone number, home address, or work number.
4. Make the Necessary Changes
Enter the correct and active contact information.
You can update your phone number multiple times during the placement period if needed.
5. Save Changes
After updating your details, click ‘Save’ to confirm.
Double-check that your changes have been recorded correctly.
What If I Can’t Afford the School Fees?
Before accepting an offer, make sure you can afford the school fees. The MEC has made it clear that no transfers or exemptions will be granted later for financial reasons.
If you’re concerned about affordability, you can:
Contact the school directly to enquire about fee exemption procedures (for public schools).
Explore no-fee schools in your area listed on the GDE website.
Reach out to the district office for guidance.
Learn more: School Fees Subsidy 2026: Everything Parents Need to Know
What to Expect Next
The GDE aims to complete all placements by the end of November 2025. Learners still unplaced by then will be automatically assigned to available schools to ensure that every child starts 2026 with a confirmed seat.
Between now and then, you can expect:
Regular updates via SMS
Additional placement rounds for late or incomplete applications
Final lists being issued before the school year ends
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — GDE School Placements 2026
1. How do I know if my child qualifies for GDE School Placement?
Eligibility depends on age, residence in Gauteng, and submission of a complete application with valid documents. Grade 1 learners must be turning 7 in 2026, and Grade 8 learners should have completed Grade 7.
2. Can international learners or non-residents apply for GDE placements?
Yes, but placement is prioritized for Gauteng residents. International learners may be considered only if space is available after all local learners are placed.
3. When did the 2025 GDE School Placements start?
The 2025 GDE School Placements officially began on 16 October 2025 and will continue until all learners have been placed.
4. How long will the placement period continue?
Placement is an ongoing process. The GDE aims to complete all GDE 2026 School Placements by the end of November 2025.
5. How will I receive my child’s placement?
Placement offers are sent via SMS to the number used during your GDE Admissions registration.
6. What if I don’t receive an SMS immediately?
Not all parents receive their GDE placement SMS on the first day. You can check your child’s status online through your GDE Admissions profile.
7. How do I accept a GDE school placement?
Log into your GDE Admissions account, review the SMS offer, and select “Accept as final” to secure your child’s spot.
8. Can I accept a placement while waiting for other offers?
Yes. Parents can accept while awaiting other offers. If no new offers arrive within seven days, the last accepted placement becomes final.
9. What if my child applied to multiple schools?
You may receive multiple offers. Accept available offers while waiting for others to increase your chances of securing your preferred school.
10. What is the seven-day deadline?
Parents have 7 days from receiving a placement SMS to respond, either by accepting, declining, or awaiting other offers.
11. Can I decline a placement offer?
Yes, you can decline a placement, but be aware that declining without an alternative may affect your child’s chance at that school.
12. How is distance from the school factored into placement?
The GDE considers home addresses within the feeder zone first, then within a 30 km radius, and finally beyond 30 km, depending on available space.
13. Is placement first come, first served?
No. GDE School Placements are based on priority criteria, not the order of application.
14. What happens if my child’s application is incomplete?
Incomplete applications cannot be processed during the main placement rounds. You must submit missing documents to be considered in later rounds.
15. What documents are required for placement?
Parents must provide valid proof of residence (certified utility bill, lease, or equivalent) and accurate personal information. Affidavits are not accepted.
16. How do I check if my child’s information is correct in the system?
Log in to your GDE Admissions account and review the My Profile section. Make sure your child’s name, date of birth, and address are accurate.
17. What if I forget my password or login details?
Use the “Forgot Password” link on the GDE Admissions portal, or contact the call centre at 0800 000 789 or WhatsApp 060 891 0361.
18. How do I check my child’s placement status online?
Log into your GDE Admissions account and view the current status under your child’s profile.
19. What should I do if my child hasn’t been placed yet?
Wait for further placement rounds. Submit missing documents promptly and contact your district office for guidance.
20. How can I track the progress of placement rounds for all applicants?
The GDE Admissions portal and official social media updates provide information on ongoing placement rounds and timelines for all learners.
21. How long does the appeal process take?
Objections are reviewed within 14 days. Appeals are usually resolved within 14–21 days.
22. What support is available if I need help with the placement system?
Parents can contact the GDE call centre (0800 000 789), WhatsApp 060 891 0361, or visit the nearest district office for in-person support.
23. How do I avoid GDE placement scams?
Only trust official communications via SMS from GDE or the GDE Admissions website. Never respond to offers requesting payment.
24. What if my child’s top-choice schools are full?
Your child may be placed at the next school based on placement criteria and available capacity.
25. How can I plan for school fees before accepting a placement?
Check with the school regarding fee exemptions, explore no-fee schools, or contact the district office to confirm your options.
26. What happens if my child is on the waiting list?
Learners on the waiting list may be placed in later rounds as space becomes available. Check updates regularly on your GDE Admissions profile.
27. Can I update my child’s school preferences after submission?
No. Once submitted, school preferences are locked. Any changes must be requested via the district office and are subject to availability.
28. What if my child moves to a new home or zone?
Update your contact and address details in your GDE Admissions account immediately to ensure placement reflects the correct feeder zone.
29. How will I know my child is officially placed?
You will receive an SMS confirming the placement. In some cases, the placement is automatic, and no action is needed.
30. Where can I get help or more information about GDE School Placements?
Visit the GDE Admissions website, contact the call centre at 0800 000 789, WhatsApp 060 891 0361, or visit your nearest district office.
Join Facebook Groups for Support and Advice
Waiting for your child’s GDE School Placement can be stressful, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Connecting with other parents in dedicated Facebook groups can help you:
Share experiences and updates on placement SMSes
Ask questions about the GDE placement process
Get advice on handling incomplete applications or missing documents
Stay informed about potential scams and how to avoid them
Here are some active groups where Gauteng parents are supporting each other:
Tip: Always verify information with the official GDE Admissions website before taking any action. These groups are great for support and guidance but should not replace official instructions.
