Parents' balancing act in finding right school at right price

AMID the growing costs of necessities in South Africa, there is the stagnant economy, and the job market and private business sectors remain very volatile.

- SHEETAL BHOOLA

Regardless, school fees have increased, and middle-class South Africans also feel pressured to send their children to schools that can be described as model C or semi-private.

Government schools in recent years have been failing to meet basic educational requirements, such as fewer teachers being employed in this sector, and allocated budgets are yet to filter through to government schools.

The above-mentioned realities, amidst other challenges such as larger-than-usual classes and a lack of technological resources for children to be equipped for the globalised economy, are strong factors for parents not to consider enrolling their children in government schools, even though it may be the affordable option.

At present, semi-private schools and private schools are pricey in South Africa, leaving many parents struggling to meet other living costs.

The alternative that many parents are opting for is to homeschool their children, but that, too, comes with additional costs.

At present, most homeschooling online curricula can cost as little as R5000 per month, making them very affordable for many South Africans.

Still, on the other hand, the learner loses out on a holistic experience of schooling, such as skill and character building, self-esteem building, and developing a humanitarian, communication, and social value system.

As the director of StellarMaths Sunningdale, Durban, I find myself bombarded with parents of learners who are homeschooled, as they realise that the teaching methodology used by online programs is not always effective for young learners.