Department of Education in Johannesburg (2025)

Posted on Author Dlamini Blessing

Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic heart, relies on a robust education system overseen by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), a provincial arm of the national Department of Basic Education (DBE). In 2025, the GDE manages over 2,600 schools in Gauteng, serving millions of learners with a focus on quality education, equity, and innovation. Johannesburg’s schools, from public institutions in Soweto to private academies in Sandton, benefit from GDE’s policies promoting curriculum delivery, infrastructure upgrades, and digital learning. This evergreen guide explores the Department of Education’s role in Johannesburg, detailing its services, programs, and impact on the city’s diverse educational landscape. Backed by insights from the GDE and DBE, this article provides essential information for parents, educators, and stakeholders, ensuring informed engagement with Johannesburg’s education system.

Department of Education in Johannesburg

  • Curriculum Delivery: Implements the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Grades R–12, emphasizing literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking.

  • Infrastructure: Manages school construction and upgrades, with 80% of Johannesburg’s public schools equipped with modern facilities in 2025.

  • Teacher Development: Offers continuous professional development, with 90% of educators trained in digital tools like the KZN E-Learning Portal.

  • Learner Support: Provides no-fee schools for 60% of learners, nutritional programs, and transport for rural students.

Contact: +27 11 355 0000, www.gauteng.gov.za

Key Services and Programs

The GDE delivers a range of services to enhance education in Johannesburg:

1. No-Fee Schools and Financial Support

  • Description: Over 60% of Johannesburg’s public schools are no-fee, benefiting 1.5 million learners, particularly in townships like Soweto and Alexandra. The GDE allocates grants to cover operational costs, ensuring access for low-income families.

  • Impact: In 2024, 5 million learners nationwide benefited from no-fee programs, with Gauteng leading in implementation.

  • Access: Parents can verify eligibility via school governing bodies (SGBs) or the GDE website.

2. School Nutrition Programme

  • Description: Provides daily meals to 1.2 million learners in Johannesburg’s public schools, addressing hunger and improving concentration.

  • Impact: The program, funded by a R21 billion DBE budget, reduces dropout rates by 15% in disadvantaged areas.

  • Details: Menus follow DBE nutritional guidelines, with laminated procedures displayed in school kitchens.

3. Early Childhood Development (ECD)

  • Description: Supports 1,200 ECD centers in Johannesburg, offering pre-Grade R education for ages 0–6, focusing on cognitive and social skills.

  • Impact: In 2025, 91% of 6–13-year-olds attend primary school, partly due to strong ECD foundations.

  • Access: Register at GDE-approved centers; subsidies available for low-income families.

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4. Digital Learning and ICT Integration

  • Description: Equips schools with computer labs and e-learning platforms, like the KZN E-Learning Portal, used in 70% of Johannesburg’s schools. The GDE’s 2015 ICT action plan promotes digital literacy.

  • Impact: Over 50,000 learners accessed online resources in 2024, though challenges like unreliable internet persist in rural areas.

  • Challenges: Only 25–30 computers per lab for 2,000 students in some schools, limiting access.

5. Special Needs Education

  • Description: Manages 50 special needs schools in Gauteng, 20 in Johannesburg, offering tailored curricula for learners with disabilities.

  • Impact: The American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) supports exceptionalities, reflecting GDE’s inclusive policies.

  • Access: Contact schools like AISJ (+27 11 731 7300) or GDE for assessments.

6. Teacher Training and Support

  • Description: Offers workshops, with 2025 programs focusing on CAPS updates and classroom technology. The GDE collaborates with the South African Council for Educators (SACE).

  • Impact: 95% of Johannesburg’s teachers are SACE-registered, ensuring professional standards.

  • Access: Educators apply via www.education.gov.za.

Top Public Schools Supported by GDE in Johannesburg

The GDE oversees top-performing public schools known for academic excellence and extracurricular programs:

  1. I.H. Harris Primary School

    • Location: Soweto, Johannesburg

    • Overview: A no-fee primary school with strong CAPS delivery, offering sports and arts programs.

    • Achievements: 90% pass rate in Grade 7 assessments (2024).

    • Contact: Via GDE district office (+27 11 355 0000).

  2. Parktown High School for Girls

    • Location: Parktown, Johannesburg

    • Overview: A public school with a 98% matric pass rate, emphasizing STEM and leadership.

    • Achievements: Ranked among Gauteng’s top 10 high schools in 2025.

    • Contact: +27 11 642 2721.

  3. Jeppe High School for Boys

    • Location: Kensington, Johannesburg

    • Overview: Part of the Milner Schools, known for academic rigor and sports like rugby.

    • Achievements: 100% matric pass rate in 2024.

    • Contact: +27 11 614 1938.

  4. Barnato Park High School

    • Location: Berea, Johannesburg

    • Overview: A public school with diverse learners, offering CAPS and extracurriculars like drama.

    • Achievements: Top 10 in Johannesburg for inclusivity (2025).

    • Contact: +27 11 642 3907.

  5. Hoërskool Randburg

    • Location: Fontainebleau, Johannesburg

    • Overview: A bilingual school promoting Christian values and personal development.

    • Achievements: 95% matric pass rate in 2024.

    • Contact: +27 11 792 2112.

Challenges Facing the Department of Education

Despite progress, the GDE faces challenges in Johannesburg:

  • Overcrowding: Schools like I.H. Harris have up to 2,000 students with limited resources, straining facilities.

  • Infrastructure Gaps: Unreliable electricity and internet in township schools hinder ICT adoption.

  • Teacher Shortages: A 1:40 teacher-to-student ratio in some schools affects personalized learning.

  • Funding Constraints: The DBE’s 21% budget allocation (R307 billion in 2025) is stretched across 24,900 schools, limiting Gauteng’s share.

  • Historical Inequities: Townships like Soweto lag behind affluent areas like Sandton in facilities, a legacy of Bantu education.

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The GDE’s 2025/26 Strategic Plan addresses these through infrastructure investments (R2 billion for Gauteng) and teacher recruitment (1,000 new posts).

GDE’s Role in Private and International Schools

The GDE regulates 365 independent schools in Gauteng, including Johannesburg’s prestigious private institutions. These schools follow CAPS or international curricula (e.g., IGCSE, IB) and are monitored by Umalusi for quality assurance. Notable private schools include:

  • St John’s College

    • Location: Houghton, Johannesburg

    • Overview: An all-boys school offering CAPS and IGCSE, with a 3.2 distinctions per matric candidate average (2024).

    • Fees: R202,840 annually (2025).

    • Contact: +27 11 645 3000.

  • Roedean School SA

    • Location: Parktown, Johannesburg

    • Overview: An all-girls school with 4.42 distinctions per matric candidate, known for water polo and arts.

    • Fees: R106,245–R203,607 annually.

    • Contact: +27 11 647 3200.

  • American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ)

    • Location: Sandton, Johannesburg

    • Overview: Offers American and IB curricula, with robust special needs support.

    • Fees: Contact [email protected].

    • Contact: +27 11 731 7300.

Policy and Oversight

The GDE collaborates with the DBE, Umalusi, and the South African Council for Educators to ensure compliance. Key policies include:

  • No-Fee School Incentives: Expanded to 60% of schools since 2006, covering operational costs.

  • Soweto Uprising Legacy: Post-1976 reforms allow mother-tongue instruction, with 95% literacy in 2025.

  • ICT Integration: The 2015 DBE action plan targets 100% school connectivity by 2030, with Johannesburg at 80% in 2025.

The GDE’s 2025 National Examinations and Assessment Committee (NEAC) Lekgotla, held in Johannesburg, focused on improving matric results (87.3% pass rate in 2024).

How to Engage with the GDE in Johannesburg

For parents, educators, and stakeholders:

  • School Admissions: Apply online via www.gdeadmissions.gov.za (open April–November). Contact district offices for assistance (+27 11 355 0000).

  • Complaints: Report issues to the GDE or DBE (www.education.gov.za) or escalate to Umalusi.

  • Teacher Recruitment: Apply for posts via www.gauteng.gov.za; requirements include SACE registration.

  • School Information: Visit individual school websites (e.g., www.stjohnscollege.co.za) or GDE’s directory.

  • ECD Registration: Contact GDE-approved centers for subsidies and enrollment.

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Why the GDE Matters in Johannesburg

Johannesburg’s education system, shaped by the GDE, is a cornerstone of South Africa’s 95% literacy rate, second-highest in Africa. With 269 schools serving diverse communities, the GDE addresses historical inequities while fostering innovation. Its no-fee schools, nutrition programs, and ICT initiatives ensure access for all, while oversight of private schools like St John’s maintains quality. Despite challenges, the GDE’s R2 billion infrastructure budget and 2025/26 goals signal progress, making Johannesburg an education hub.

Tips for Navigating the Education System

  1. Apply Early: Online admissions open in April; late applications risk placement delays.

  2. Verify School Status: Confirm no-fee eligibility or private school fees via GDE or school websites.

  3. Engage SGBs: School governing bodies handle admissions and grievances; attend meetings for updates.

  4. Explore ECD Options: Enroll children in GDE-approved centers for early learning benefits.

  5. Monitor Progress: Use CAPS report cards and parent-teacher meetings to track learner performance.

FAQs About the Department of Education in Johannesburg

What is the role of the GDE in Johannesburg?

The GDE oversees 2,606 schools in Gauteng, including 269 in Johannesburg, managing curriculum, infrastructure, and learner support like no-fee schools and nutrition programs.

How can I enroll my child in a Johannesburg school?

Apply via www.gdeadmissions.gov.za (April–November) or contact district offices (+27 11 355 0000) for public schools. Private schools require direct applications.

Are there no-fee schools in Johannesburg?

Yes, 60% of public schools, like I.H. Harris in Soweto, are no-fee, serving 1.5 million learners.

What support exists for special needs learners?

The GDE supports 20 special needs schools in Johannesburg, with inclusive options like AISJ. Contact schools or GDE for assessments.

How does the GDE ensure quality in private schools?

The GDE and Umalusi regulate independent schools, ensuring CAPS or accredited curricula compliance, as seen with St John’s and Roedean.

Conclusion

The Gauteng Department of Education shapes Johannesburg’s vibrant education system, supporting 269 schools with innovative programs, no-fee policies, and digital learning. From top public schools like Parktown High to prestigious private institutions like Roedean, the GDE ensures quality and equity. Despite challenges like overcrowding, its 2025 initiatives, backed by a R307 billion DBE budget, drive progress. Parents and educators can engage via www.gauteng.gov.za or school websites, securing a bright future for Johannesburg’s learners in South Africa’s education hub.