Urbanization in Africa is rampant throughout the continent. In 1900, 89% of African people were living in rural areas. In 2015 it is estimated that a fraction under 50% of African people live in cities on the continent. South Africa has not been exempt from this, and rapid urbanization since 1994 continues to put a huge strain on schools in cities. The Gauteng Education Departmentestimates that an additional 20000 learners are seeking places in Gauteng schools annually. As a result, class sizes are rising, pre-fab classrooms are proliferating, and teachers are stressed out of their minds by the diversity of the needs of the learners under their care, and criticism of GDE schools is rampant, from learners, parents and educators. Problem is – what is the alternative to city schools?
Last week I went to Polokwane (population 630 000), to talk about teacher recruitment with a group of senior staff from schools in the area. The contrast with their cousins in the cities could not have been greater. Of course, the schools had more land, and better sports facilities than their Gauteng replicas, and clean air to boot – but they also had smaller classes. The teachers we met were friendlier than those in Gauteng schools, and I didn’t meet anyone who was praying for the end of the school day to come! The head of the school who hosted us knew every child in the school by name. The head of the local government high school has a roster of teachers who stay at school until 9pm every evening to help their matrics to study! Almost all of the teachers we met were not Polokwane-born, they moved there to take up a teaching post, and wild elephants would not drive them back to a school in a city. They described the lifestyle as unparalleled, and though their salaries were not as high as they could have earned in the cities, no one was complaining. The dress was more casual than most Gauteng schools would accept, for staff and learners, but there was nothing casual about the lessons going on in the classrooms.
And then there were the kids. I didn’t see a single kid slouching around miserably. They seemed to be walking with purpose; and there were fewer seriously overweight learners than we see in cities.
Years ago parents used to send their children away to country schools to get top quality education. Gradually the perception changed, and today parents prefer to have their children staying at home. But I could see the point of sending a child to a country school. The whole atmosphere felt a lot healthier to me! As for teachers, the average age of the senior staff was younger than we see in cities, and newly qualified teachers were offered senior classes and promotion more quickly than in the cities. The fact that the staff knew every child by name meant that their commitment to the whole business of teaching was greatly enhanced, and the relationships between learners, teachers and parents was on another level.
So parents – think about it! Country schools have boarding facilities, small classes, and lower fees than their Gauteng counterparts. Teachers, think about it! Country schools will offer you opportunities that you will wait a long time for in the cities, and far fewer discipline problems. It ought to be really tempting!
And if you are tempted – talk to Placements in Education.
