Profits versus pit toilets

→ Large portion of children are being left behind, warn experts.

- Jarryd Westerdale

The disparity in resources between government schools and private for-profit education businesses is creating a gulf in opportunities.

Two private education giants reported a combined R1.3 billion in operating profit, while the department of basic education struggles to make its R35 billion budget count.

Experts warn that while the perceived differences in the outcomes of private and public education are not guaranteed, a large portion of South Africa's children are being left behind.

ADVTECH Group reported over R900 million in unaudited operating profit for the first six months of this year, while Curro Holdings reported after-tax profits of over R400 million for 2024.

Curro's group revenue for 2024 was just over R5 billion, with ADVTECH topping that with R8.5 billion for the same year.

ADVTECH saw an increase of almost 12,000 enrollments to 105,000 pupils, with Curro stating it had 72,109 pupils at 189 schools.

Curro offers four segments, with 13% of its children paying R3,500 or less, while 35% pay R7,000 or more per month.

ADVTECH's Pinnacle Colleges offering is slightly north of Curro's upper average, but its Crawford offering can exceed much more than R150,000 per year.

By contrast, the department of basic education has over 12 million children enrolled nationally at over 22,000 schools, with almost 75% enrolled at no-fee schools.

ADVTECH's figures represent a 15.7% return on investment and a 12% increase in the growth of their schools segment.