South African State High School Fees 2026

School fees for some of the leading rugby playing state high schools in South Africa

# STATE SCHOOL CITY/TOWN REG FEES BOARDING TOTAL
1 Maritzburg College Pietermaritzburg KZN R87 600 R122 800 R210 400
2 Durban HS Durban KZN R78 720 R103 630 R182 350
3 Pretoria BH Pretoria BUL R82 300 R98 200 R180 500
4 Glenwood Durban KZN R80 250 R98 350 R178 600
5 KES Johannesburg LIO R79 500 R98 900 R178 400
6 Westville Durban KZN R80 250 R97 750 R178 000
7 Grey HS Gqeberha EP R78 900 R96 000 R174 900
8 Jeppe Johannesburg LIO R71 200 R90 200 R161 400
9 Rondebosch Cape Town WP R86 800 R74 500 R161 300
10 SACS Cape Town WP R72 800 R79 000 R151 800
11 Paul Roos Stellenbosch WP R69 300 R76 200 R145 500
12 Wynberg Cape Town WP R70 800 R73 800 R144 600
13 Northwood Durban KZN R73 000 R70 000 R143 000
14 Queen’s Komani BOR R55 200 R75 000 R130 200
15 Paarl Gim Paarl WP R55 000 R73 000 R128 000
16 Affies Pretoria BUL R63 460 R62 670 R126 130
17 HJS Paarl BH Paarl WP R54 800 R69 900 R124 700
18 Menlopark Pretoria BUL R61 600 R62 040 R123 640
19 Garsfontein Pretoria BUL R52 130 R63 000 R115 130
20 Selborne East London BOR R51 480 R62 700 R114 180
21 Grey College Bloemfontein FS R52 380 R56 700 R109 080
22 Boland Landbou Paarl WP R48 000 R58 500 R106 500
23 Waterkloof Pretoria BUL R52 600 R51 100 R103 700
24 Durbanville Cape Town WP R42 500 R45 800 R88 300
25 Monument Pretoria LIO R43 700 R42 000 R85 700
26 Outeniqua George WP R38 420 R44 430 R82 850
27 Diamantveld Kimberley GRQ R28 800 R48 000 R76 800
28 Oakdale Riversdale WP R34 452 R37 725 R72 177
29 Brandwag (EP) Kariega EP R22 000 R41 800 R63 800
30 Witteberg Bethlehem GRF R22 300 R27 000 R49 300

Private Schools

School Location 2026 fees
1 Hilton Hilton, KZN R450 893
2 Michaelhouse Balgowan, KZN R417 000*
3 St Andrew’s Makhanda, EC R409 815
4 Kearsney Botha’s Hill, KZN R399 740
5 St John’s Johannesburg, GP R397 302
6 Bishops Cape Town, WC R386 300
7 Kingswood Makhanda, EC R360 930
8 St Stithians Johannesburg, GP R346 295
9 St David’s Johannesburg, GP R338 496
10 St Benedict’s Johannesburg, GP R322 290
11 St Charles Pietermaritzburg, KZN R296 650
12 Woodridge Thornhill, EC R290 434
13 Helpmekaar Johannesburg, GP R164 750

Leave a Reply

43 Comments

  1. avatar
    #43 buitestaander

    State schools are own and run by the government. We do not have state schools in SA any more. Government schools is just another term used for state schools. (Like we had before the new dispensation)
    Today we have public schools. Owned by the government, but governed by the parent community through the SGB of the school, and managed by the headmaster and his team. The school may improve or renew whatever they want, but once it was done, it belongs to the state. That being the reason why many public schools have independent trusts, run by a BoT. These trusts may accumalate funds (within the stipulations of the Act) ) and buy property, on condition that it is not on the school premises. (which belongs to the state).
    The term “private schools” is also not in use any more, as the Act refers to Independent schools.

    ReplyReply
    9 February, 2026 at 15:10
  2. avatar
    #42 Grasshopper

    @Skywalker (Comment #41)
    Yep, Glenwood will continue to unearth gems from nowhere, BUT unfortunately won’t be able to compete with the wealthier schools, so I think a constant 6th or 7th in KZN, lower than their average 5th in KZN over the past 100 years. The Bluff used to provide the gritty hard as nails blokes, no longer. If I was Glenwood, I would focus on Basketball, Football, Athletics, baseball and rugby. Cricket, Hockey, Swimming, Waterpolo, tennis and squash, we just cannot compete. Westville buy the whole SA Schools swimming team every year….you can’t compete with that….

    ReplyReply
    9 February, 2026 at 11:46
  3. avatar
    #41 Skywalker

    @Grasshopper (Comment #40)
    Looking at the above rates, I am surprised how much more MBC is to Northwood actually? But yes cheaper then the privates for sure. Will be interesting to see this all unfold over the next few years. DHS certainly have made big strides and continuing to do so. Area may count against them in time, but schools like Durban Girls College, DPHS and others keeping that area strong still. Question is for how long. On Glenwood, I think I saw an article about the rugby programme getting focus. Like yuo say, the issue is money to attract top talent, but I feel good talent is always out there – need to be able to fund and house them though.

    ReplyReply
    9 February, 2026 at 11:09
  4. avatar
    #40 Grasshopper

    @Skywalker (Comment #39)
    Yes, I did notice that. Mom’s willing to let their boys board, then yes College is the cheaper choice. I saw Butch James sent his boy to House, interesting choice. I have a friend here in the UK sending their son to Hilton from the UK as it’s so much cheaper than Millfield here where he was and they are moving to Dubai, so it’s sort of closer. Genuinely though, Northwood is now the gov school of choice in KZN, even Westville is not No1. Glenwood and DHS have an uphill battle. DHS will hang in there for 10 more years but to continue what they are doing is tough. When Pinhead leaves the push there will end. I mean Curro Hillcrest beat Glenwood at 1st team cricket 100 ball game, how embarrassing….

    ReplyReply
    9 February, 2026 at 09:53
  5. avatar
    #39 Skywalker

    @Grasshopper (Comment #36)
    Interestingly I was told that Maritzburg College got a big intake of Umhlali boys. Those Salt Rock families will contribute many boarders to schools going forward. Speaking of Clifton, any word on the new Headmaster there? He will need to improve the rugby!

    ReplyReply
    9 February, 2026 at 08:52
  6. avatar
    #38 Grasshopper

    @ForeverHorseFly (Comment #37)
    Pot kettle, when it was Ivan Clarke, the rats ridiculed. Now it’s on your side. My uncle finished at DHS in 79, he contributes too. We all know it’s accumulating the revenue BUT Saad provides the most. Would love to see the accounts for the school & OBs foundation. If I lived in Dirtbin my son wouldn’t go to either DHS or Glenwood, both are in rubbish areas & the education standards not too hot. I would go Clifton (private) or Northwood (Gov), Kearsney if I lived in Cotswold Downs with the other deluded Karen’s….

    ReplyReply
    8 February, 2026 at 14:59
  7. avatar
    #37 ForeverHorseFly

    @Grasshopper (Comment #35)
    We’ve heard it all before, we know how you feel about Musgrave. Your obsession with Saad is always fascinating to me, you’d swear he is the only wealthy old boy giving back to his school in this country. Those properties have nothing to do with him at all. DHS Foundation recently concluded the sale of the Old Boys Club property in Durban North which provided the capital to invest elsewhere. So its the Foundation that purchased the properties.

    ReplyReply
    8 February, 2026 at 13:01
  8. avatar
    #36 Grasshopper

    @Roger (Comment #34)
    Same as Glenwood, Scumbilo to the south and the wealthier Ridge/Howard College near Durban Varsity to the north, that has probably changed in affluence now. It’s just all in decline now unfortunately. Our feeder areas have been extremely diverse, the Bluff, Toti, Queensburgh, Chatsworth, Umlazi & across rural KZN via the BE, mainly Zululand. Yes, Jeppe is not in a great area either. These schools are now hemmed in by the city….no space to grow & are stuck. This is why I’ve said Glenwood should have moved to the north coast years ago……maybe not too late….Northwood gets all the best from Ballito now….

    ReplyReply
    8 February, 2026 at 11:46
  9. avatar
    #35 Grasshopper

    @ForeverHorseFly (Comment #31)
    Dude, Musgrave centre is a dump by any standards and the area is not safe, I walked around there a year ago and was on edge. Taxis everywhere, felt like I was in Warwick triangle. Re Berea Park, yes my dad finished at DHS in 1969 and he said it was in his matric year the discussions started. It would have given DHS some much needed field space. The grounds are probably the smallest of the big Gov schools. I mean that cabbage patch by Blackmores was tiny as a cricket pitch, guess it’s not a pitch anymore. I remember playing away at DHS meant playing at multiple different venues, one a small ground opposite Ridge Park girls and sometimes on that big Cato Manor ground. Good that Saad High can afford 2 extra properties near the school, aren’t the basketball courts across the road? How were the academics this year?

    ReplyReply
    8 February, 2026 at 11:37
  10. avatar
    #34 Roger

    You guys have got it all wrong – KES is bordered one one side by the very upmarket Houghton and on the other side , by the very blue collar Yeoville and Orange Grove! Now, instead of European immigrants living in Yeoville and the Grove, you have the central African influx. KES has always been a diverse school – the very wealthy sitting alongside the working class, and kids from all over the old Transvaal in the boarding houses. Many Jewish scholars too (especially in the earlier years) – names like Bacher, Teeger, Weinberg, Gordon, Lipworth, Kasrils, Kentridge, Goldstone, Lindberg etc etc. Parktown is far closer to Hillbrow than KES – although driving your Beemer and chatting on your new IPhone 17 in either suburb is not advisable!

    ReplyReply
    8 February, 2026 at 11:00
  11. avatar
    #33 ForeverHorseFly

    @beet (Comment #32)
    Yeah I have also heard that before regarding berea park, crazy to think what an assest that land would have been currently. As for the academic initiatives, one hopes the feedback is taken on by the powers that be to keep improving things but its encouraging to see new developments happening not just for sports but on the academic side of things as well.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 23:08
  12. avatar
    #32 beet

    @ForeverHorseFly (Comment #31)
    A DHSOB who took an active role in the behinds the scenes while his sons were there, once said to me the school turned down the opportunity to buy Berea Park during the 1970s. Does this sound right? Imagine how DHS would have been sitting today if they had all that land.

    Also feedback that filtered through from a few new gr 8 parents suggests that although the academic initiatives are a step in the right direction, there is still room for improvement.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 21:40
  13. avatar
    #31 ForeverHorseFly

    @Meesh N (Comment #29)
    Unfortunately you will never convince Grasshopper as few areas in SA meet his very high standards.

    But back to the topic at hand, im hearing DHS recently purchased two adjacent properties across from the school with the view to convert them into a new grade 8 boarding house. Seems demand is high enough to warrant that kind of capital investment to increase boarder numbers.

    Couple this with a newly built three story classroom block to house some of its bespoke academic offerings as demand for them has been high enough to necessitate this outlay. Its really encouring to see a public schools looking for innovative ways to increase its income avenues.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 17:54
  14. avatar
    #30 Meesh N

    @beet (Comment #28)
    They’ve got all the goods beet, great headmaster too (old boy & ex-headboy), cultures & traditions still intact as well. As a keen observer over the years I’ll confidently say if there is a sleeping giant among the Gauteng & KZN boys schools it’s without a doubt Parktown. Their academics consistently do more than decently each year too, they’re a few cash injections away from turning the corner. They seem to have a decent old boys network too.
    They could pull a Queens College type of comeback.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 15:17
  15. avatar
    #29 Meesh N

    @Grasshopper (Comment #25)
    I didn’t in anyway mean that it’s in mint condition but rather that the vast majority of it’s in much better condition than what berea, hillbrow & jeppe are.
    You can actually walk in the PTA CBD & dare I say, even answer a phone call without looking like a walking lottery ticket! Whereas driving in Hillbrow & Jeppe is a risk on its own let alone walking!
    As for the large Nigerian population, it seems every major city of ours has that issue, even your beloved London!

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 15:06
  16. avatar
    #28 beet

    @Meesh N (Comment #24)
    I’ve also hear this, that what you’ve mentioned coupled with the success of Parktown Girls’ school, that Parktown Boys’ possesses much potential.

    I must say the few times I saw them in Durbs during the 2010s, I thought their boys had tremendous school spirit.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 13:54
  17. avatar
    #27 beet

    @Meesh N (Comment #23)
    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    Through the comments I learned that we must refer to the schools as public schools not state schools.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 13:50
  18. avatar
    #26 beet

    @Roger (Comment #22)
    I kid you not, Helpies is: school fees R101 500, hostel fees R63 250.

    I know there was a recent article on Midsteam being the standout private at R98000 but truth is Helpies is the runaway leader in this category.

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 13:48
  19. avatar
    #25 Grasshopper

    @Meesh N (Comment #24)
    If Pretoria CBD is considered good then people there must have low standards, last time I was there it was like Lagos!

    ReplyReply
    7 February, 2026 at 12:10
  20. avatar
    #24 Meesh N

    @Grasshopper (Comment #6)
    You can’t compare PBHS & Affies’ “proximity” to the CBD to that of KES to Hillbrow & that of the KZN schools.
    Not only is the Pretoria CBD in much better condition than those in Durban & JHB (I live in JHB), but that PBHS is no where near the city centre, the neighbouring suburbs are Brooklyn & Hatfield, With Arcadia (which Affies is on the edge of) working as the buffer between Brooklyn, where we are, & Sunnyside/CBD. PBHS is formally in the East of Pretoria.
    This is in no way near the situations schools like KES, Jeppe, DHS, Glenwood, etc. find themselves in, where urban decay is a literal stone’s throw away.
    With that being said I’m surprised Parktown isn’t getting increased positive PR considering they’re in a good area of JHB, coupled with the great renovations they’ve made to the school & not forgetting their top class boarding houses.

    ReplyReply
    6 February, 2026 at 22:49
  21. avatar
    #23 Meesh N

    @beet (Comment #17)
    “a state school” haha beet the grades still being referred to as form 1-5 is a dead giveaway that it’s my alma mater.

    ReplyReply
    6 February, 2026 at 22:36
  22. avatar
    #22 Roger

    @Beet – does the figure for Helpmekaar include boarding? I find that difficult to believe?

    Those boarding costs for state schools differ hugely- from R27k per annum to R120k per annum – I’d love to see the Witteberg koshuis!! – because having seen the KES hostels at R100k per annum (£4,5k), I was gobsmacked – they are first rate and represent real value for money when compared to St Johns, St Stithians or St Davids – however, the gap is narrowing – 5 years ago KES, Jeppe, Pretoria Boys High were far cheaper than the local private schools.

    ReplyReply
    5 February, 2026 at 13:39
  23. avatar
    #21 Grasshopper

    @buitestaander (Comment #20)
    Then you get DHS, with Stephen Saad money, then you in a completely different league. Imagine in Pretoria Boys could make amends with Elon and get him to give R500m a year, it’s pocket change to him….

    ReplyReply
    4 February, 2026 at 19:15
  24. avatar
    #20 buitestaander

    KThere are only two types of schools in SA: public schools (not state schools) and independent schools (commonly known as private schools). The government provides various levels of financial support to the public schools as they are graded fron Q1 to Q5. The latter the more wealthier communities. This support is in reletave terms irrelevant in terms of the budget. In our leading schools, and in general, the government pays an estimated 30% of all educator staff salaries, and about 10% of admin staff. Typically, salaries included, the goverment contributes about 15-20% of the total budget at our leading schools. Given the small contribition by government, why not privitising the school? The government will never allow it. Now they have high quality schools, who are producing all the goods, at the absolute minimum cost. Round about 1992, all schools had the choice of becoming Model A, B or C. Helpmekaar, to my knowledge, being about the only school who opted for the independent school option. The formula used to determine the % of exemption or partial exemption of school fees for parents, ensures access to these schools for those who can not afford paying it. Consequently no one is excluded, as schools may not discriminate against learners who’s parent can not pay. Some schools are fortunate to have huge donars, but they normally donate for a spesific cause, and not for running costs. The income from entry fees, sponsorships, etc does not have a real impact on a school’ ability to make things happen. Some of the leading schools have budgets running up to R200m + per annum. The costs of having a home fixture, amouts to thousands and thousands of rand. Running a medical room, having a doctor at the field, first aid, an ambulance, security, catering services, cleaning staff, etc …. It is never ending.

    ReplyReply
    4 February, 2026 at 12:11
  25. avatar
    #19 Grasshopper

    @beet (Comment #17)
    ‘Other Income’ is where the key difference between schools is. The successful sporting schools are those who can get that figure up and offer multiple bursaries and scholarships. The way they do that is drum up OB contributions, find a wealthy OB to fund a big chunk, streaming game rights, advertising boards around the school, sponsorship on jersies and sports tops, banners on school vans, Go-fund-me for top sportsman, local business contributions, entry fees to the ground to watch, website banners etc……literally anything to boost that figure…so the better the teams perform the more they can drum up…….

    ReplyReply
    4 February, 2026 at 10:21
  26. avatar
    #18 Cappie

    @beet (Comment #17)
    If I look at the contibution by the State, why do you still want to be a state school? Isn’t it better (or how possible is it?) to switch over to a private school? I pressume the school buildings etc, still belongs to the state. What happen to improvements on the school grounds privately paid for? Maybe some one can provide us with the pro’s and con’s as well as insight benefits between state schools and private schools.

    ReplyReply
    4 February, 2026 at 08:42
  27. avatar
    #17 beet

    A proposed budget for 2026 of a state school listed above

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 22:22
  28. avatar
    #16 buitestaander

    Grey are the extreme example. Eg Parents in Robertson, Ceres, etc have the option to keep their kids at home, or to send them to schools with a bigger offering. Surely the parents of eg Stellenbosch and Paarl schools do not have that option. We are talking about public schools. Nothing wrong in having great facilities and great opportunaties. Nothing wrong in offering as much as possible. But not unqualified. Not exclusive. Not excluding anyone. Reasonable, fair, realistic, sustainable. A balanced approach in terms of every aspect of the school.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 20:53
  29. avatar
    #15 Snelvuur

    @buitestaander (Comment #14)
    Unfortunately, it is necessary for schools to have more than two interschools in order to find competition. Take a school like Grey Bloem for example: let’s say they keep two interschools – Affies and Paul Roos. Who are they playing the rest of the year? Jim Fouche, Sand du Plessis, Welkom Gim? I think one could definitely make an argument that testing yourself against the best available opposition week-in, week-out adds to your holistic development in a way that demolishing weak opposition never could. I don’t think it’s fair to say that generally schools need to “get back to basics” – there are loads of schools that are still like that (e.g., many of the rural schools in the Boland like Robertson, Charlie Hofmeyr and Swartland). Parents are perfectly entitled to send their kids to those schools if they do not want what the big schools are offering. But, clearly, thousands of parents do think what the big schools are offering is more valuable and are prepared to pay more for it. Should they not be allowed to do that?

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 17:07
  30. avatar
    #14 buitestaander

    We are actually on the same page. Fact is: schools can save enourmous amounts of money in many ways. Too many schools function on a “nice to have” budget. A rural high school recently indicated that just the cost of tours and festivals amounts to R18 000 per first team rugby player during 2026. That is in addition to the school fees. Add to that equipment, pocket money, ets, and it ends up at R30 000. For the prominent rugby schools: it is fine to have eg two interschool fixtures, and play in a festival or two. But why having three or four such interschool fixtures, and playing in three festivals? That does not add anything extra to the holistic development of a child. To have everything of the highest quality, too many professional coaches, too many of this and that, are not necessary. Schools have to get back to a more balanced approach without sacrificing anythings that really contributes to the all round development of learners.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 16:41
  31. avatar
    #13 KatzRugga

    The big question.
    On average. How many learners pay 100% fees? Bursaries are given not just to sport but also academics and cultural.
    For some historical schools the upkeep and maintenance of buildings/boarding and fields etc. Is a massive cost.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 16:22
  32. avatar
    #12 Snelvuur

    @buitestaander (Comment #10)
    I agree that schools should be aimed at the holistic development of kids, but I disagree with the premise that doing so would slow the increases in fees. On the contrary, it costs far more to develop a child holistically than it does to develop only one specialised aspect (e.g., rugby). If our only concern is the affordability of schools, one of two things need to give: either (1) we must lower the quality of coaching and facilities back to where it was or (2) schools should become hyper-specialised in only one facet (which would simultaneously save money by cutting down on other facets and provide it with the benefits of economies of scale). Providing a balanced and holistic education at the same level as, e.g. rugby at some of the top rugby schools, is an incredibly expensive endeavour. My brutally frank assessment is that we don’t actually know how good we have it in SA: you have schools like PRG, HJS, etc offering an education, facilities and opportunities basically on par with the best schools in the world like Eton and Harrow for literally a fraction of the cost. The fact that fees are increasing above inflation is probably just a “correction” that should actually have taken place years ago. I know this all sounds very blunt – I don’t mean to be insensitive in any way, I know loads of folks struggle to afford these fees. But there is always a weigh-up between quality and cost. And at this quality, the costs of education are high.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 14:27
  33. avatar
    #11 buitestaander

    According to a SA Reserve Bank report, school fees have rised annually with 2,6% more than the average inflation rate over the past decade. By implication: 26% more than salary increases over the same period. (Source:Chat GPT)

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 14:05
  34. avatar
    #10 buitestaander

    The making of schools have changed indeed. Their offering is on another level than 50 years ago. However, too many schools serve their brand and image, and not their core business, which should be the holistic development of learners. To repeat my previous remark: if school’s do not commit to a more balanced approach, their budgets will become runaway trains. As it stands, it is not sustainable. Every single year schools fees increases at a higher rate that annual salary increases. After all they remain public schools. Regarding qualifications: 50 years ago almost all high school teachers had a B-degree, HED and in many cases, post-graduate degrees. Today many schools are forced to appoint teachers with a BEd degree, wich is primarily an edecational degree, and not a pure academic one. At many decent public schools, the majority of teachers do not have a BA, BSc or BCom degree + than in the past.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 13:53
  35. avatar
    #9 Grasshopper

    @Snelvuur (Comment #8)
    And I bet the Government funding has stayed the same, so now a school that needs 60x teachers has to pay for 40 of them, when in the past all the teachers were covered by Gov subsidies. Model C/Gov schools are now semi-private to keep the standards up….

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 13:36
  36. avatar
    #8 Snelvuur

    @Cappie (Comment #7)
    To be fair, in the 80s your rugby coach was also your cricket coach and also your Afrikaans teacher. The school didn’t have a gym and all the schools in a town used the town’s public swimming pool for their galas. Now schools have next level facilities, specialist coaching and teachers with postgraduate specialist degrees. It’s unfair to compare the cost of these schools with what they were in the 80s, because the entire make-up and offering of these schools have changed. There are definitely still schools where one could pay for a year’s tuition with six sheep – and they probably offer much the same facilities and expertise as the schools did in the 80s.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 13:18
  37. avatar
    #7 Cappie

    Back in the 80’s a sheep cost you about R50 and school fees were round about R300 per year. That meant you needed to sell six sheep to send your son off to school with a blazer, rugby boots and a head full of Latin declensions.

    Fast forward to today; a sheep now cost about R1 500, while school fees have rocketed to a jaw-dropping R60 000. Do the math, and suddenly you’d needed forty sheep to cover a year’s tuition. That is not a flock, it’s practically a stampede!

    And let’s be fair lamb chops didn’t stay at the 80’s prices either. Yes, they’ve climbed, but nowhere near the Everest-like ascent of school fees. Meat has gone up steadily, tuition has gone overboard, strapped itself to a rocket, and blasted into orbit.

    In the 80’s a farmer could look at his kraal and say: “Six sheep, and my boy is sorted for the year”

    Today, that son, who became the farmer stares at his flock and sighs: “Forty sheep, and I still have to buy flight tickets and stationary.”

    It is not the sheep that got expensive, it’s the schooling that became a luxury item. Somewhere along the way, education stopped grazing in the pasture and started grazing in your wallet.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 12:46
  38. avatar
    #6 Grasshopper

    @Skywalker (Comment #4)
    Weird isn’t it, maybe those areas are just better funded by the local Gov OR maybe local business and sponsors are ploughing money into those schools. At around R7,000 a month for a Gov school, the middle to lower income families must be stretched, especially with more than one kid in high school. Hilton at R37,500 a month is for the elite 1% only. It’s like the dodgier the areas the higher the school fee. Maritzburg is in the top 5 most dangerous cities in the world, Glenwood/Umbilo, Pretoria CBD, KES/Hillbrow, DHS/Musgrave……all areas I would avoid….

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 12:09
  39. avatar
    #5 buitestaander

    The cost of education is high. The cost of being non-educated, is much higher.
    However, parent communities should have a fresh look at the fees of their respective schools. Many schools have become unaccessble for learners from their own communities, families who have supported schools with absolute loyalty for decades. The ever increasing schoolfees are not sustainable. Obviously financial resources ease the way to excellence, but it is no gaurantee. A schools’s budget should be a reflection of what a school wants to be. It reflects what a school regards as of high priority, importance, etc. School’s should be sensitive to keep on expanding, as every new facility creates additional expences like maintenance, insurance, cleaning services, electricity, etc. Schools should be sensitive for adding additional costs like international tours, etc. Schools will have to move a bit backwards again in terms of what is needed, and not just about what is wanted. The higher the school fees, the more parents qualify for exemption. A school is in a great position should it be able to collect 85% of the school fees. In real terms it means that the paying parents are subsidising that 15% of the non-paying parents. Finally, the answer lies in a ballanced approached, where absolute transparency exists, and where schools realise that school fees are public money, and be treated as such. Quality public schools are the backbone of our educational system, and their sustainability should never be at risk. In the end it is not resources, but people that make all the difference.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 11:18
  40. avatar
    #4 Skywalker

    @wanza_15 (Comment #3)
    I made this exact point last year. Based on costs across both the public and private schools, KZN is the most expensive, out of the big cities/areas, JHB, Western Cape, Pretoria, Durban. This makes no sense to me as KZN salaries would be the lowest out of those. It seems strange to me that you can attend, SACS, Rondebosch, Paul Roos, Paarl Gim, Paarl Boys High, Affies etc for less then the cost of Northwood, let alone Westville, DHS, Maritzburg College. In fact there is a R20 000 difference between Northwood and some of those schools! Also from what I know, those schools also have smaller grades. the KZn schools range from 260-300+ boys in a Grade, but SACS had 170-180 boys only in Matric 2025, for example. Less kids, lower fees, but in a more affluent suburb and city? I dont understand. Similar facilities, perhaps even better in some cases.

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 10:11
  41. avatar
    #3 wanza_15

    Interesting to see the 3 KZN schools basically above the the Noordvaal “big 3” English schools. I haven’t ever been to any of College, DHS or Glenwood ever, only Westville & Northwood.
    I wonder if someone who has a wider lens has a take on this? How do the facilities and boarding houses compare? Jeppe, KES and Pretoria Boys to a lesser degree have also been producing consistently good matric results over the past 3 years. It just sounds a little bizzare to me that I’d relocate from Jeppe/KES/PtaBoys and Johannesburg, to Natal, and it costs me more? Is it the beach, lol

    ReplyReply
    3 February, 2026 at 00:05
  42. avatar
    #2 beet

    @KatzRugga (Comment #1)
    I would say Waterkloof and Helpmekaar esp the latter. The standard of education HMK offers is second to none at a fraction of the cost of the other privates and remarkably their fees is lower than a few state schools as well. Their sports and cultural programmes are good as well

    ReplyReply
    2 February, 2026 at 20:33
  43. avatar
    #1 KatzRugga

    Which School wins the award for Best Value in both categories?

    ReplyReply
    2 February, 2026 at 20:09