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Department receives over 140 000 online applications

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 17 Apr 2018
The Gauteng Department of Education's online applications will close at midnight on 28 May.
The Gauteng Department of Education's online applications will close at midnight on 28 May.

Despite a few challenges here and there, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says it received over 140 000 successful applications on day one of the online registration process.

On Monday, the GDE kick-started 2019 online admissions for grade one and eight learners, and revealed it has already received 144 124 applications.

The department, however, notes that while the system is capable of handling a large volume of applications, some challenges have crept up. These include parents entering home and work addresses incorrectly, delays with sending waiting list numbers, as well as Web operating systems.

An ITWeb reader experienced issues with the system, labelling the online registration process a nightmare. "I can't even log in; I'm being asked for a persal number, and I don't even have it. Our password is incorrect, your username is incorrect, nothing seems to be correct," she said.

According to the GDE, it is trying to deal with all the challenges that parents and guardians are experiencing.

It explains: "With regards to the addresses, we appeal to parents to first select their municipality, then select the town (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Randburg, etc). Thereafter, parents can select the township or suburb in which they live. When you follow this procedure, you should not have a problem with finding your street address.

"We urge parents to make use of Google Chrome, as our site is linked with Google Maps, which makes it easier with regards to the addresses. Google Chrome is faster and most compatible with the online application system."

The department also appealed to parents and guardians of learners going to these two grades to submit their applications on time, as it remains resolute that the online application system is the way to go.

"The online application system is the future. It provides for a fair and equitable opportunity for parents to apply at public schools. We are very humbled by the support and response from parents," says education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.

The department advises parents with no Internet access or who require face-to-face assistance to visit one of the decentralised application centres or a community library. "The GDE will operate 57 admissions centres across the 15 education districts."

Alternatively, parents can contact the department via phone or e-mail.

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