Any individual preparing for an international assignment no doubt will experience a great deal of anxiety, regardless of the destination. But when the family replaces the individual, a different menu of concerns suddenly manifests, especially when the destination is far from familiar and loaded with a wide array of stigmas and negative associations, such as the great paradoxical nation of South Africa.
While families must take specific precautions when living in destinations that are foreign and hold a certain degree of risk, it is possible to acclimate to a more guarded (quite literally in this case) lifestyle, but one that is rich in so many ways. One of the first concerns for a relocating family is “Where will my children go to school?” As with anything, the more understanding you have of an unknown, the more prepared you can be to make the most of the experience.
Why South Africa?
It is evident that international business is booming in cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg. According to a November 2006 World Bank South Africa country brief, South Africa’s “economy has registered its highest growth in 21 years.”
Furthermore, “the country has widely been accepted into the international community, and unrestricted trade with many more countries is increasing steadily,” according to LivingAbroad.com. As a result, global business has become a reality, and families are relocating as business demands a physical presence.
The Options
Families moving to South Africa have several different types of schooling to choose from, including:
- international independent;
- local independent;
- religiously affiliated independent;
- state-owned; and
- other national systems.
Most expatriate families choose international independent or local/religious independent schools, but regardless of the ultimate placement, a basic understanding of the post-apartheid South African national curriculum is necessary as it permeates all venues of education. Immediately following the 1994 elections, the National Education and Training Forum began revising and rationalizing existing syllabi as blatant biases based on racial lines were uncovered within educational systems. By 1996, the first formal written educational document for a unified democratic curriculum was established and, by 2001, the revised curriculum statement, coined Curriculum 2005 (C2005), began its implementation.
Curriculum 2005
The goals of C2005 are optimistic, perhaps idealistic, and echo the values of the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. In 2001, the Department of Education wrote a manifesto on values, education, and democracy, identifying the fundamental values of the constitution as:
- democracy;
- social justice and equity;
- non-racism and non-sexism;
- ubuntu (human dignity);
- an open society;
- accountability/responsibility;
- respect;
- the rule of law; and
- reconciliation.
According to the “Revised National Curriculum Statement Grades R-9 (Schools),” from the Republic of South Africa Department of Education, the manifesto outlines 16 strategies for encouraging young South Africans to follow the values of the constitution within schooling, including, but not limited to:
- infusing the classroom with a culture of human rights;
- instituting multilingualism;
- using sports to shape social bonds and nurture nation-building at schools; and
- dealing with HIV/AIDS and nurturing a culture of sexual and social responsibility.
These strategies have infused both the subject areas of the national curriculum and the way in which subject matter is instructed, with the goal to create a new South African democratic identity.
The Curriculum
Schools that follow or incorporate the revised curriculum will structure instruction at all levels of compulsory education, according to the core learning areas of languages (English, Afrikaans, and possibly a native language such as Xhosa), mathematics, natural sciences, technology, social sciences, arts and culture, life orientation, and economic and management sciences.
Within each learning area, “the relationship between human rights, a healthy environment and social justice is addressed,” according to the Revised National Curriculum Statement Grades R-9 (Schools).
Not only is the subject matter affected by the new vision of education, but the mode of instruction has transformed in a more progressive direction. Rather than focusing on an end result, there has been a real switch to an “outcomes-based” education that values the process of learning just as much as content. Under this new framework, schools provide a much more participatory, hands-on, and activity-based education, with more room for interpretation and creativity, and the ultimate goal of promoting lifelong learning. Students now are referred to as “learners” and teachers as “educators.”
The Structure of Schooling
Compulsory education in South Africa is for students in grades 1-9 (roughly ages 7-15), although the mainstream duration of schooling spans 13 years, grade R (reception) through “matric,” which is short for matriculation. The matric exams take place during the 12th grade and the success of a school often is measured by the matric pass rate.
Beginning in grade 10, school becomes more career-oriented and the matric diploma generally is required for university entrance. International and American schools both use their national grade levels or a combination of the native and host classifications.
Where the Expats Are and What to Expect
The suburbs of both Cape Town and Johannesburg have become particularly appealing to expatriates, and along with the territory come recommended schools. Expatriates generally choose international schools, especially if the future holds plans of repatriation or a sequential international assignment, although some of the local independent schools provide international degrees/recognition and, therefore, become appropriate options. It is important to note that athletics are incredibly important to South Africans and have become a symbol of a freer and more unified nation and, as a result, sports play a large role in all schooling. Security also is everpresent and schools are extremely well-guarded.
Cape Town
Some of the more popular suburbs for expatriates relocating to Cape Town are Ferndale, Bishops Court, Rondebosch, Camps Bay, Clifton, Constantia, and Hout Bay. Three examples of possible schools include:
1. An independent school, such as the International School of Hout Bay (www.sekhoutbay.org.za), which serves learners ages 3 to 18 and integrates United Kingdom national curriculum while offering several degrees, including the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and the A-Levels. The school plans to incorporate International Baccalaureate (IB) in the near future.
2. A pre-kindergarten through 12th grade American international school, such as the American International School of Cape Town, in Constantia (www.aisct.org.za), based on an American-style curriculum while integrating the practices of the United Kingdom, Australian, Canadian, and other international curricula.
3. A highly academic Anglican boy’s school, such as Bishops in Rondebosch (www.bishops.org.za), divided into pre-prep, prep, and college levels serving learners in grades R-12, and offering day and boarding accommodations. Learning Areas of the C2005 are at the core and learners develop a portfolio to demonstrate progress.
Johannesburg
Families relocating to Johanneburg may want to consider the Northern suburbs of Bryanston, Fourways, Houton, Hyde Park, Illovo, Killarny, Parktown, Sandton, Rivonia, and Rosebank. Some examples of recommended schools for expatriates are:
1.The R-12 Michael Mount Waldorf School in Bryanston (www.michael-mount.co.za), which follows a developmental approach of educating the “whole child” in addition to integrating the national curriculum.
2.The PK-12 American International School in Bryanston (www.aisct.org.za), which follows a U.S.-based curriculum within a global mindset with the goal of nurturing a love of learning.
3.St. John’s College in Houghton (www.sjc.co.za) is an internationally recognized boys Christian school, pre-prep through 12th grade, offering 18 A-Level courses certified by the Cambridge Board while encompassing aspects of the South African Curriculum.
4.St Stithians College in Randburg (bordering Bryanston)
(www.stithian.jhb.school.za), a Methodist R-12 school where boys and girls of all faiths are welcome and the application of the “outcomes-based” individualized education develops respectful and well-rounded learners.
These select few represent the breadth and variety of schooling options for families relocating to two of the most dynamic cities in a rapidly developing country. The values and ethics written into the national curriculum of South Africa are hopeful and admirable, and an opportunity enabling exposure to such ideals should not be dismissed without serious consideration.
Sarah Schwartz is an educational consultant with School Choice International, White Plains, NY. She can be reached at +1 914 328 3000 or e-mail schoolchoiceintl@aol.com.