Gauteng Grade 12 learners will begin their 2026 preliminary examinations on Tuesday, 25 August, with the provincial timetable running until Friday, 18 September. The exams come as matric pupils enter the final stretch before the National Senior Certificate examinations, which begin nationally in October. While matric prelims are not national examinations, they provide an important opportunity for learners to test their preparation, identify weak areas, and adjust their study strategies before the final papers.
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Parents and guardians applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8 places through the Gauteng Department of Education’s 2027 Online GDE Admissions portal have until midnight on Friday, 4 September 2026, to complete their applications. The system requires applicants to complete all five steps, choose schools and submit supporting documents within seven days, but login problems, address errors and upload failures can slow the process. These troubleshooting tips explain what to do when the portal does not work as expected and where to get official help.
Parents and guardians applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for the 2027 school year can receive free assistance at one of the Gauteng Department of Education’s decentralised walk in centres across the province. The centres are available throughout the 2027 Online GDE Admissions application period, which opened on 5 August 2026 and closes on 4 September 2026.
The Gauteng College of Nursing has opened applications for its 2027 Student Nurse Intake, offering qualifying South African citizens living in Gauteng the opportunity to study towards a Diploma in Nursing. Applications opened on 21 July 2026 and close on 26 September 2026. Successful applicants will receive academic training and practical clinical experience at public hospitals and healthcare facilities across the province. The programme is aimed at developing the next generation of professional nurses to strengthen Gauteng’s public healthcare system.
Gauteng’s online admissions process for the 2027 academic year has received close to half a million applications, highlighting continued demand for places in public schools across the province. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said it is strengthening its admissions management plan to improve learner placement and support as applications continue. Education MEC Lebogang Maile outlined the department’s updated approach during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, saying the focus is shifting from the number of applications received to ensuring learners are successfully placed before the new school year begins.
More than 210 000 applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements were submitted within four hours of the Gauteng Department of Education opening its 2027 Online Admissions system on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. The school admissions process affects thousands of families across Gauteng who are applying for public school placements for the 2027 academic year. The department said the online platform opened at 8am and processed applications without major technical problems, while parents are being urged to apply well before the closing date of Friday, 4 September 2026.
More than R5 billion in National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding was possibly allocated to more than 40 000 students who did not meet the required financial criteria, according to findings by the Special Investigating Unit. The affected funding involved students at 76 higher education institutions whose household incomes were above the bursary threshold.
Learn how the GDE school placement system works for Grade 1 & Grade 8 learners. Follow our 5-step guide and secure your child’s spot today.
Gauteng Grade 12 learners will begin their 2026 preparatory examinations on Tuesday, 25 August, with the provincial prelim programme continuing until Friday, 18 September 2026. The timetable covers key National Senior Certificate subjects and gives matric learners, parents and schools a clear schedule for the final major examination period before the end of year exams.
Learn about the essential documents required for the 2026 GDE admissions process for Grade 1 and Grade 8. Get the details on the documents needed for a smooth application.