For Chinese families moving with children, the first question is usually which school. South Africa offers plenty of choice, from public schools that admit by feeder zone to private and international schools, and fees, language of teaching and university pathways differ widely. Start looking before you move.
Start here
- Choosing a school in South Africa: public, private and international schools compared, typical fees, admissions and options for keeping up Chinese.
Key things to know
- The school year starts in January. Public schools follow the calendar year in four terms, starting in January and ending in early December. Some international schools follow a northern-hemisphere year.
- Apply early for good schools. Public schools usually admit by feeder zone and application date, and popular schools fill up, so families often apply almost a year ahead.
- Foreign children usually need a study visa. Even if a parent holds a work visa, a child attending school generally needs a study visa, so build the processing time into your moving plan.
- Two main school-leaving exams. Public schools write the National Senior Certificate (NSC); many private schools write the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams. Both are accepted by South African universities.
- Most teaching is in English. Most schools teach in English and some in Afrikaans. If your child’s English is weak, consider extra lessons or a school with language support.
Related sections
For your child’s study visa, see Visas & immigration. School choice usually goes hand in hand with where you live, so see Housing & property too.
