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The Gauteng Department of Education submitted a total of 233 035 online applications for gr. 1- and gr. 8 learners for the 2021 school year.
Department spokesman Steve Mabona said in a statement that a total of 100 599 applications were for gr. 1 learners received and 132 436 for gr. 8 learners. Mabona says about 30,796 parents submitted online documentation.
The online registration process for the 2021 school year began Thursday at 8 p.m. By Thursday 10:30, 68 000 applications had already been received.
It has been previously reported that parents complained last Thursday that they were struggling to apply online. The department says some parents received SMSs confirming their applications, but it did not contain a reference number. According to the department, these numbers will still be sent to applicants today.
Due to the large number of applications, there were also difficulties in confirming some applicants’ addresses or ID numbers. According to the department, these problems were rectified within a few hours.
Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi apologized to parents who experienced problems in the first hour after the system was opened, as well as saying he was grateful that they were using the system.
Mabona said in the statement parents should remember to upload the application documents to the online system or submit the actual documents themselves to schools where they apply.
“All parents struggling with the online process can call 0800 000 789 for help,” says Mabona.
Lesufi encourages parents to register online. “We encourage those who have not yet applied to do so as soon as possible,” says Lesufi.
As parents scramble to register children for next year, dozens of schools are still closed due to Covid-19.
