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Many parents in Gauteng are in a state of uncertainty due to the Gauteng Department of Education's (GDE) failure to communicate on placements for their children for the 2026 academic year. The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that the GDE urgently finalise 2026 placements and end the distress of parents who are merely seeking clarity and finalisation of the admission process ahead of the new academic year.

In every admissions cycle, the DA warns that delays, a lack of transparency and poor planning from the department will leave parents frustrated and risk many learners losing weeks of school due to non-placement. However, these warnings are ignored, leading to a recurring placement crisis.

Parents have reported to the DA that they have not received any information about school placements. Others have been allocated schools they are unfamiliar with or schools that are far from their homes. The scale of frustration is reflected on the public Facebook page “Admissions | Online Application Updates”, where many parents are voicing their complaints.

The number of incomplete placements clearly indicates that the admissions system is deeply flawed and lacks the transparency and responsiveness that parents deserve, despite MEC Matome Chiloane's assertion that it has improved.

The DA will engage the MEC in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), demanding that he urgently communicate with affected parents and address the systemic issues that continue to undermine the admissions process. No parent should be waiting for answers in December due to the administrative failures of the Premier Panyaza Lesufi-led government.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would prioritise a transparent and efficient admission system that places every child in an accessible and suitable school on time. We would publish clear placement timelines, improve communication with parents and open online applications no later than April each year.

Issued by Sergio Isa Dos Santos MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education