Lure of elite high schools in SA

The five most popular schools

St John’s College

Location: St David Road, Houghton, Johannesburg

Fees: Aproximately Sh 1.71m excluding extra activity fees (Up to R4,200 (Sh46,200 per term)

Website: www.stjohnscollege.co.za

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St Andrew’s College

Location: Somerset Street, Grahamstown.

Fees: Aproximately Sh 1.71m excluding extra fee (Up to R4,200 (Sh46,200 per term )

Website: www.sacschool.com

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Kingswood College

Location: Burton Street, Grahamstown.

Fees: Aproximately Sh 1.52m boarding per annum excluding extra fee (Up to R9,500 (Sh104,500)

Website: www.kingswoodcollege.com

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Abbots College

Location: National Office, Century Gate, Cape Town,

Website: www.www.abbotts.co.za/

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Rosebank Progressive college

Location: 20 Main Road, Rosebank, Cape Town.

Fees: Aproximately about Sh1 million, all inclusive of fees, accommodation, food and pocket money.

Website: www.rosebankprogresscollege.co.za

Most 16-year-olds do not pack up their bags to move to a new country and school without their parents to pursue education.
But Craig Odhiambo did this when he joined St John’s College in Johannesburg for his A-levels, which he sat last year.

After sitting his ‘O’ -level exams at St Andrew’s Turi, in Molo, Craig set out for the new adventure in his life which he described as a maturing experience.
“Going to a new school and new country at such a young and impressionable age, you have no option but to mature if you want to make it in life,” he says.

Exclusive schools

He is among a growing number of Kenyan students who opting to join exclusive private high schools in South Africa to pursue the South African National Senior Certificate, Matriculation, or A-levels in the hope joining elite South African University or proceeding to other universities in the UK, US or Australia.

The South African High Commission says most Kenyans attend St John’s College on the outskirts of Johannesburg, St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown, Abbots College which has five campuses across the country and Rosebank College with a campus in Cape Town.

St John’s College, Craig’s alma mater, is recognised as one of the leading boarding private school in South Africa. Located in Johannesburg, Kenyan students mainly attend the school to pursue the Cambridge A-level system, and a co-educational facility. It is especially popular with those who do their ‘O’ levels at St Andrew’s Turi.

The school boasts top-notch facilities including restaurants, four pools, a gymnasium and fields for different sports.

Craig, who describes the architecture as out of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School, says two years proved to be a “humbling” journey that taught him responsibility and the importance of putting one’s head down to do the work.

Toni Williams, the schools marketing manager, says the school offers a university approach so that students can broaden their academic and intellectual perspectives as they prepare for university studies anywhere in the world.

Craig, who says there were about six other Kenyans in his year, is looking to pursue a law degree in London or University of Edinburg.

Most of these schools offer an atmosphere which is less restrictive than high school where the students are encouraged to cope with greater personal responsibilities and freedom.

Tracy Wamucii, who attended Rosebank Progressive College, in Cape Town, says the system allows for more independence compared to studying in Kenya, where she did her KCSE at State House Girls.

“You are shown what you are meant to do so it is all up to you to do it,” she said. “The education system there is more of a partnership between the students and teachers, who guide you but do not spoon feed you.”

Tracy completed her one-year Matric at the college last year and is waiting to join the University of Cape Town in February to pursue a BA in social science and economics.

Elite South African Schools have identified Kenya as a hunting ground for students and visit the country often, either by giving talks in other private schools or hiring representatives who market the schools locally.