Public or Private School for my child in Primary School

by Mbini
(Pretoria, South Africa)

Choosing Public or Private School for my child in Primary School. I am in a dilemma on the public vs private school debate in Pretoria, Gauteng or South Africa in general. Initially I wanted my son to go to a private school, and after thoroughly searching for a suitable school the total cost (excluding extramural activities) went to R5000.

I see more and more parents, in this dilemma partly because of our poor performing education system and dismal performance by our students. I think the government meant well by trying to rectify an education system that was not working “for all” and discriminatory. But I think we lost it in the process. It appears to me that, with public schools, one is juggling and doing some trial and error with the kids’ future. At the same time, private schools are just too expensive.

A question is - what would you recommend for your child's primary schooling in Pretoria, Gauteng or South Africa in general? A Public or Private school? Taking everything into account and especially in terms of “value for money", exposure and cultural values.

Comments for Public or Private School for my child in Primary School

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Aug 09, 2011
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private schooling
by: TF

If you can afford it, private schooling is the way to go.

Aug 09, 2011
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A good teacher is not just at private schools
by: Ilse

I think talk to other parents with each one because schooling is not just about the best you can afford, but it's about the teachers and how they nurture those children and push them to do better. A good teacher is not just at private schools

Aug 09, 2011
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private schooling
by: Sine

Private dear but there are great public schools in SA too.

Aug 09, 2011
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Choosing Public or Private School
by: Ilse

Oh and universities don’t care what school your child was at and what fancy extra activities they did. They only care about a hard working child with good grades.

Aug 09, 2011
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Public schooling in South Africa
by: TF

Public schooling is dead in South Africa. I don't know about Moc. All the good teachers have fled to private schools.

Aug 09, 2011
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Choosing Public or Private School
by: Ayaan

Definitely private.

Aug 09, 2011
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Private vs Public Primary Schools
by: MM

Lots of schools of thought on this one. If you go private you might have to consider private for high as well to keep continuity. These are the formative years in which getting a grasp of the basics is imperative, so private may be the way to go. However, there are excellent public primary schools that are able to offer the same quality of education. Check them out - see teacher pupil ratio, even sit in on a class. Grasping maths concepts is so vital at primary school or else the child will struggle at high school.

Oh ja, and if you go the public route, check out to see if they have a strong governing body, an active parent/teachers association. These hold the school accountable for quality regarding teachers and also make for a vibrant and well functioning school.

Aug 09, 2011
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Changing from Public to Private School
by: Mbini

Thanks guys. It’s just so difficult. I will definitely be in an SGB whichever way I take. Its so difficult to make this choice. I never thought it would be this tough.

I initially wanted him to do public schooling in Primary school and private in high school. But he might be frustrated when he has to make that change. I think I like the idea of going to school and actually sit in class. I still have to home school him in Xhosa. Having a child is all so "ROSY".

Aug 09, 2011
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Ad Maths in High School
by: MM

Just a little tip for high school - encourage him to do Ad Maths. The kids doing maths orientated degrees and who did Ad Maths are struggling a lot less with maths than those who didn't.

Aug 09, 2011
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Does education have to be this expensive
by: Mbini

Last time I was looking for school I found a private school that I liked, which would have cost R4000+ per month in 2009. Does education have to be that expensive bantu? It should be R5000 now, in 2011. R60,000 per year. That’s steep for a middle class citizen.

Aug 09, 2011
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Joburg vs Pretoria Schools
by: MM

Was that private, Mbini? I am paying around R2,400 per month for my daughter's high school - (model C type and the only one for miles around in my area) I think R60,000pa for private is about on par with the Joburg schools. Is the Geek going to go to school in PTA?

Aug 09, 2011
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Former Model C type schools
by: Mbini

I think a parent needs a degree to understand all this. I heard about Ad Maths from you and Fhulu. I have no idea what that is. And the Geek has to do Maths. Its his only love. He is bored by any other subject, poor boy. And sadly, he took all of my bad habits.

Yes, in Pretoria. Is R2400 for a private school? Silly me, I see its former Model C type. Let me clarify a bit on the 2009 fees. That included "after care" which I won’t need anymore. And I think school bus, which again I won’t need. I should even do my own school bus system, I think. So I can subsidise these schooling costs.

Aug 09, 2011
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Advanced Maths in High School
by: MM

It's advanced maths that goes beyond what they teach in the class. My daughter is in Grade 10 and is doing some stuff my son is doing in first year varsity. My son regrets giving it up after 1 year and doing only Maths Paper 3 which they d...See More

That price sounds about right, Mbini. Also google the schools achievements and that will tell you quite a bit about how good the school is. Academic and sport.

Aug 09, 2011
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Private schools are extremely expensive
by: Ntsiki

Hi Mbini! There are good public primary schools, depending on the area where its situated, mine are in Goodwood primary, Cape Town and its a public school, they are doing very well, they don't do Xhosa as language at school, but we teach them so they may be able 2 communicate in their mother tongue! Private schools are extremely expensive!

Aug 09, 2011
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Choosing Public or Private School
by: Mbini

Is Ad Maths only offered in high school only? Again I miss on what's already stated. All my "work from home" should start paying better. When the Geek came to Moz, he was in Grade 0. He was so far behind, he had to take extra classes (FOR GRADE ZERO). The primary school he goes to mentioned SA schools not being up to scratch. And he was in Grade 0 in a private school at home. That hammered on my ego. ***I should stop taking everything about SA personal***

Aug 09, 2011
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I find private schools insular
by: MM

I found my kids' high school prepared my son and his friends more than adequately for varsity. I also liked the bigger interaction the kids had at the school - they have all walks of life there and learn that life consists of people that are different.
They do plays, charity, eco projects etc etc. I find private schools insular - all the kids are well off, have overseas trips, jol a lot (I'm talking high school here) and have a sense of entitlement. But that is just my opinion.

Aug 09, 2011
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I choose public schools
by: Nolu

My friend, I will take my children to a public school when I have them. I will make sure that they get educated in a Xhosa dominated area where they will learn Xhosa values. Public school is affordable and will make life easy for them to do careers of their choice when they get older to decide for themselves.
As a parent I will be able to save for their future. Really when they are teenagers they start choosing what they want in life, then I will be able to support their wishes financially. I was in a public school and I'm a very wise soul, so will my children. :)

Aug 09, 2011
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Cost of Private Schools in South Africa
by: Anonymous

I was just talking about my sister's child who is overseas in the US now on a trip. ****Oh Gosh, she will read this, I have to be extra nice.*** Note to her---**I love you sweetie and this doesn't apply to you**
The fees are expensive, trips are like more than R50,000 per trip. Kids become snobs and think money grows on trees. How do you raise a child who is grounded in a situation like that?
The Geek himself is already having some arrogance and telling me what the Moz government should or should not do. And what school he will or will not go to in SA. And he is 8. Because his friends are already talking like their fathers.

Aug 09, 2011
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Public schools in South Africa
by: Mbini

Ntsiki, in Cape Town there should be Xhosa. There are African languages offered in Gauteng. But understandably, not Xhosa or XiTsonga which is hubby's language. So we had to choose to have him do one of them.
I know there are good public schools in South Africa, but difficult to find, depending on the teacher for that particular class, how the school is managed, etc. And in private schools they are in a way forced to keep a certain standard. You are unlikely to go wrong, I think.

Aug 09, 2011
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Private schools are expensive
by: Phesh

Mbini R5000? That’s too expensive! Public schooling is ok, but you need to check the records of school's performance. You can also organise something aside for your child to excel in his subject of interest!

Aug 09, 2011
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Cost of Private Schools in South Africa
by: Mbini

Phesh, that’s life. And apparently R5000/m for private primary schools is not expensive in GP. I don’t know elsewhere. I know schools that are more expensive than that. And the other problem is that, you have to live in the area to get access to that particular good primary school. At least I am a bit of a floater now. I can move to an area of choice if I am really serious about a certain public school.

Aug 09, 2011
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SA is spending 20 % of GDP on Education
by: Anonymous

Yesterday's City Press actually ran an article on this issue. SA is apparently spending 20 % of GDP on Education, of which it's amongst the highest in the world.
On the other hand, SA is currently producing some of the poorest graduates in the world. The biggest chunk of Education expenditure is being pumped into the former black educational institutions of which most have become dysfunctional.
I mean the matric students are supposed to be sitting for their preliminary exams as from Wednesday and I hear my daughter saying the teachers are going to embark on a strike. Under these conditions, the public schools are the ones affected while the private ones continue with business as usual.

I believe if the strike goes ahead, all matriculants' exam results are going to be boosted by 20 % per subject. Now the same students from these public schools get to varsity, they contribute to a huge dropout rate as they can't cope with the higher education standards.
For your info, the dropout rate at the top 5 university on Mathematics related courses is 80 %.

Aug 09, 2011
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South African teachers are under-paid.
by: Mbini

The sadness in this is that our teachers are under-paid. A university lecturer told me that they usually start with 200 students in this one field. And by the year 2 they have 50 kids remaining at university or in that class from that 200. That’s 75% drop-out in the first year. And he says, the bulk of those kids can’t express themselves in English at all. And that’s not creative English we are talking about.
Something went wrong in the process of us modifying the education system. This dismal performance is new, in my opinion. And, if we are not sorting out teachers, I doubt if we are getting somewhere anytime soon. Are we heading for homeschooling???

Aug 09, 2011
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my son has to start grade 1
by: Sxosh

This topic is a scary thought for me my son has to start grade 1 next year

Aug 09, 2011
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Private vs Public Primary Schools
by: Anonymous

I know Sxosh. I went through that when the Geek was going to start Grade 0. And I chose private education. I was full time employed then.
And now that I am pretty much calculating my cents, when we get back I have to think about it. Private schools are probably full by now for next year. I am applying for 2013 and even that will be difficult. You pretty much need to register your child when she just pops out...LOL.

Aug 09, 2011
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Public schooling in South Africa
by: ZM

‎To tell you the truth, private schools are the best. Talking from experience: teachers in public schools are lazy and don't care, because their own kids are in private schools.

Aug 09, 2011
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Scary
by: Mbini

I like it that it’s a teacher saying so ZM. It’s quite scary hey.

Aug 09, 2011
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Former Model C type schools
by: MM

If you chose the right public school you can get a well-functioning one with brilliant teachers.

Look for the former Model C schools (and sadly and embarassed I have to say this - those that are in the traditional white suburbs. Please forgive me for this statement, but that is how it is)

Aug 09, 2011
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Public schooling in South Africa
by: MM

I know what you mean MM, that?s the sad truth. By public schools, that?s exactly what I meant. It feels like the 3 tiers of the education system that we were subjected to, have taken their permanence in our country, sadly.

Aug 12, 2011
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Private School
by: Anonymous

Mbini, If your son is Grade 0, 1 or 2 next year, go look at this website: www.moonlightschool.co.za. Its a private academic school with really good rates!

Aug 12, 2011
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Choosing Public or Private School
by: Anonymous

Thanks Anonymous. I don't actually get the address of your school. I see from Google map that you are close to the Lynnwood Road. Maybe in the farm area there. Can you please confirm.

Sep 12, 2011
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Experience with schools in pretoria?
by: Anonymous

Does anyone know of good private and public schools in pretoria. A list and some advice would be appreciated. For example, has anyone experience with the schools Lynnwood Ridge Primary, Pro Ed private school, Rietondale, Curro?

Thanks

Apr 18, 2012
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Desperate Parent
by: Anonymous

I am a desperate parent who had a child in one boarding schools, with difficulties paying school fees, and by end of May 2012 I must find another school for my child, I am asking for help to get school for my child in June 2012

Nov 23, 2012
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goverment boarding school
by: Anonymous

I have two boys that I want to take to a reasonable boarding school, dont have money to pay 5000 pm. But I have something to pay for cheaper something anywhere in SA even agricultural schools. Pls help.

Dec 06, 2012
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Public schools
by: Anonymous

anyone with first hand experience with Rietondale Primary school how are the standards want to take my daughter for grade 2 cannot afford the private anymore at the moment

Dec 09, 2012
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Public or Private School for my child in Primary School ..big question
by: zz

I'm also in a dilemma here, I want to take my 3 boys 2 a private school but the prices are just so crazy R4800 pm + R15000 admission fee for each child but I have realised there are some good public schools.

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