DESK CHECK: Gauteng's 2026 school admissions chaos: 10,000 learners still unplaced

With the 2026 academic year only weeks away, more than 10,000 Grade 1 and 8 pupils remain unplaced in Gauteng, fuelling parents’ despair and criticism of the glitch-plagued online admissions system. Despite promises of fixes, recurring technical woes, poor communication and unwanted school transfers have reignited calls for an overhaul from AfriForum, the DA and frustrated families.