- The Gauteng education department's online application system was launched on Tuesday.
- Phase 1 of applications will end on 3 September.
- Phase 2 will start on 13 September and will focus on children from outside the province.
The Gauteng education department has received more than 100 000 online Grade 8 applications for 2022.
The department's phase 1 online admission application system opened on Tuesday.
By Wednesday, there were already more than 50 000 applications.
By Friday afternoon, applications had increased to 104 504, departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona said.
He said staff members were handling an average of 5 000 calls a day at the department's contact and walk-in centres across the province.
"Applications began smoothly on Tuesday, with some parents having to overcome a few challenges, including incorrect ID numbers and home addresses - even after parents/guardians had verified their personal details at schools.
"Some parents also raised concerns about not receiving assistance with the verification of details from schools," Mabona said.
The department encouraged parents, who still had to verify their information, to communicate with schools for updated details - and, if that failed, to visit district offices or contact the call centre.
Phase 2 applications are expected to start on 13 September and will focus on Grade 1 and 8 applications. This phase will specifically focus on pupils who are not in public schools in the province.
The department's admission system is taking place in two phases to improve administrative efficiency.
Phase 1 is for children in Grade 7, applying for Grade 8, and will close on 3 September.
Process
MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the two-phased admission process is in the best interest of pupils and parents.
The online application system for Grades 1 and 8 in the province was launched in 2015 to avoid parents queuing at schools for placements.
The system has, over the years, had challenges, which the department tried to overcome.
City Press previously reported that some school principals and district officials were manipulating gaps in the system to place their own children as well as those of friends and relatives.
A source told the publication that schools block applications, say there are no spaces available, which allows them to admit their preferred candidates.