High Schools In South Africa 2024
Education in South Africa is managed by two main departments: the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
The DBE handles primary and secondary schools, as well as early childhood development (ECD) centers and special needs schools.
On the other hand, the DHET oversees tertiary education and vocational training. Before 2009, both responsibilities were under a single Department of Education.
South Africa boasts one of the highest literacy rates in sub-Saharan Africa, with 95% of the population aged 15 and over being literate as of 2019.
The DBE takes care of public and private schools, including ordinary schools, which make up about 97% of schools in the country.
Notably, many public schools charge tuition, referred to as fees. In 2007, a limited number of no-fee schools were introduced.
The DHET focuses on further education and training (FET) colleges, now called Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, adult basic education and training (ABET) centers, and higher education (HE) institutions.
Each of the nine provinces in South Africa has its own education department, implementing national policies and addressing local issues.
In 2010, the basic education system had over 12 million learners, 30,000 schools, and 439,000 teachers. The higher education and training system included over 800,000 students in HE institutions, 420,000 in state-controlled FET institutions, and 297,000 in state-controlled ABET centers.
In 2013, the South African government allocated 21% of the national budget to education, with 10% earmarked for higher education.
However, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative found that South Africa falls short, fulfilling only 57.1% of the right to education based on its income level.
The Department of Basic Education is led by the director-general, Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, while the Department of Higher Education and Training is headed by the director-general, Gwebs Qonde. Both departments are funded through central government taxes.
The basic education system comprises two bands: General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET). The GET band includes Grade R to Grade 9, while the FET band covers Grades 10 to 12 and non-higher education vocational training.
The DBE’s Foundation Phase includes Grade R, and the administrative structure often reflects historical divisions, with most schools being either primary (grades R to 7) or secondary (grades 8 to 12).
Schools receive government grants for operational costs, and additional income comes from parent contributions, fundraising, and donations. School fees vary, affecting the standard of education, with more affluent areas raising more money from other sources.
Children in South African schools are required to wear uniforms, and schools offer extramural activities that often require financial contributions.
The government grant per child depends on the poverty level of the school’s neighborhood.
Since 2006, the Education Department provides incentives for the poorest 40% of schools, increasing the grant if the school charges no fees.
Private schools, not owned by the state, may also receive grants based on the community served and fees charged.
For university entrance in South Africa, a “Matriculation Endorsement” is required. The higher education sector has over a million students, and universities are autonomous, reporting to their own councils.
However, graduate unemployment and underemployment persist, with a need for more students to pursue high-demand subjects.
Here is list of all High schools in South Africa as at 2024
Abbotts Colleges
Alexandra High School
Allen Glen High School
American International School of Cape Town
American International School of Johannesburg
Belhar Secondary School
Bergvliet High School
Bopasenatla Secondary School
Bosmansdam High School
Brackenfell High School
Brettonwood High School
Bridgetown Secondary School
Cape Town French School
Christian Brothers’ College, Mount Edmund
Clapham High School
Claremont High School (Cape Town)
Dale College Boys’ High School
Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg
Diamantveld High School
Drostdy Technical High School
Durban Academy High School
Durbanville High School
Edendale Technical High School
Ellerslie Girls’ High School
Epworth School
Estcourt High School
Fairmont High School, Durbanville
Fezeka Secondary school
Folweni High School
George High School
German International School Cape Town
Glenwood High School (Durban)
Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural High School
Helpmekaar Kollege
Hillcrest High School (South Africa)
Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg
Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom
Hoërskool Alberton
Hoërskool Bellville
Hoërskool Brandwag (Uitenhage)
D.F. Malan High School
Hoërskool Monument
Hoërskool Oos-Moot
Hoërskool Velddrif
Hoërskool Voortrekker (Boksburg)
Hoërskool Wonderboom
Homevale High School
Hottentots Holland High School
Howick High School
HTS Kimberley
Hudson Park High School
Inanda Seminary School
Inkamana High School
Ixopo High School
J M Ntsime High School
Khulani Commercial High School
Kimberley Boys’ High School
Kimberley Girls’ High School
Kingsway High School
Labori High School
Lavender Hill High School
Lawson Brown High School
Linpark High School
Luphai Secondary School
Lycée Jules Verne (South Africa)
Lyttelton Manor High School
Maitland Secondary School
Mamelodi High School
Manenberg Secondary School
Mathunjwa High School
Meadowlands School of Technology
Meadowlands Secondary School
Moletsane High School
Mookamedi Secondary School
Morris Isaacson High School
Mount View Secondary School
Mountain View Academy
Naledi High School
Nomaka Mbeki Technical Senior Secondary School
Ntebogang Secondary School
Ntsonkotha Senior Secondary School
Ntwenhle High School
Ohlange High School
Orient Islamic School
Pelican Park High School
Phehello High School
Phiri Kolobe High
Pholela High School
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School
Pinelands High School
Pinetown Boys’ High School
Port Natal High School
Port Rex Technical High School
Port Shepstone High School
Port Shepstone Secondary School
Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Potchefstroom High School for Boys
Pretoria North High School
Pretoria Secondary School
Queensburgh Girls’ High School
Range High School (Cape Town)
Rondebosch Boys’ High School
Sasolburg High School
Sea Point High School
Segopotje Senior Secondary School
The Settlers High School
Sinenjongo High School
Siphephele High School
Soshanguve High School
Springs Boys’ High School
St Mark’s College, Jane Furse
St. Patrick’s Christian Brothers’ College, Kimberley
Stanger Manor Secondary School
Stanger Secondary School
Stellenberg High School
Sutherland High School, Centurion
Thutolore Secondary School
Tsogo High School
Tygerberg High School
Victoria Park High School
Vryburg High School
Waverley Girls’ High School
Westbury Secondary School
Westerford High School
Woodlands Secondary School (Pietermaritzburg)
Worcester Gymnasium