South Africa: Public Schooling Not Necessarily Preferred Option for Educating the Poor

Research released by the Center for Development and Enterprise suggests that rather than low-fee private schools being discouraged, they should be seen as a vital part of our education environment. Private schooling for the poor is a global growth industry, filling the gap left by struggling state systems in developing societies. In India, for example, the majority of learners in urban areas now attend private schools.

Low-fee private schools have also gained a foothold in South Africa. How big is this sector? How fast is it growing? Can it provide meaningful numbers of learners in poorer communities with a good education? Should the state do more to recognize this sector, and encourage its growth? These are among the issues addressed in the ground-breaking study conducted by the CDE over the past two years.