As the 2026 school year approaches, a growing crisis in South Africa’s education system is leaving parents and learners in limbo. In Gauteng alone, the Department of Education’s online admissions system shows that 4,858 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners are still unplaced, out of 358,574 applications received for the new academic year. That means nearly 1.5% of applicants remain without a confirmed school just days before schools open.

<p>As the 2026 school year approaches, a growing crisis in South Africa&rsquo;s education system is leaving parents and learners in limbo. In Gauteng alone, the&nbsp;Department of Education&rsquo;s online admissions system&nbsp;shows that 4,858 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners are still&nbsp;unplaced, out of 358,574 applications received for the&nbsp;new academic year. That means nearly 1.5% of&nbsp;applicants remain without a confirmed school just&nbsp;days before schools open.</p>

<p>METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope </p>