15/01/2026
MEC CHILOANE DISMISISSES CLAIMS OF FOREIGN LEARNER PRIORITISATION.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has rejected claims suggesting that foreign nationals are being placed in public schools ahead of South African learners.
Chiloane said the Gauteng Department of Education has no directive prioritising non-South African learners in its admissions process and described the circulating assertions as misleading and unfounded.
“We reiterate that South African learners are prioritised in line with legislation and the Department’s placement processes. No school is permitted to prioritise foreign nationals ahead of local learners,” Chiloane said.
The MEC warned that schools or officials found to be violating admissions policies would face consequence management.
He also clarified that inner-grade applications — covering Grades 2 to 7 and Grades 9 to 11 — are handled directly at school level, unlike Grade 1 and Grade 8 admissions through the provincial online system
Some schools are experiencing pressure in these grades, and districts have been urged to work closely with them to ensure placements are finalised.
Chiloane emphasised that the department remains committed to placing every qualifying learner and urged communities not to allow “false and inflammatory claims” to undermine confidence in the system.
“Our admissions processes are clear, lawful and fair. We have never had a policy that prioritises foreign nationals over South African children,” he said.
