Public vs private schools in South Africa: how to choose
Around nine in ten South African schools are public. The rest are independent (private) schools registered with a provincial education department. The right choice depends on your budget, your child and the schools near you.
Fees
Public schools are either no-fee schools or charge fees set by parents each year, with exemptions for families who cannot afford them. Private schools set their own fees and are not bound by the exemption rules. Private fees range from a few hundred rand a month at low-fee independent schools to well over R150 000 a year at top boarding schools. Ask about extra costs too: registration, uniforms, books, transport, trips and levies.
Curriculum and exams
Public schools follow the national CAPS curriculum and write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) set by the Department of Basic Education. Many private schools follow CAPS but write the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) matric instead. Some offer Cambridge International qualifications. All of these give access to university if a learner achieves the required level, but check what your preferred university or course asks for.
Class sizes and teachers
Private schools often have smaller classes. Well-resourced public schools pay for extra teachers from fees, so their classes can be small too. Every school page on SchoolsInfo shows the number of learners per educator, which is a quick way to compare.
Admissions
Public schools must follow provincial admission rules and may not test children for admission. Independent schools can set their own requirements, including entrance tests and interviews.
Questions to ask on a school visit
- How many learners are in each class this year?
- What were the last three years' matric results, and how many learners wrote?
- Which subjects and extra-murals are offered in the grades your child will be in?
- What support is there for learners who struggle, or who need a challenge?
- What are the total yearly costs, beyond tuition?
Start with the private schools list, or search by town and filter by public or private.